The European Union’s electronic freight transport information (eFTI) initiative obtained funding for over 15.2 million euros for the next four years. The aim is to get “competent authorities to accept this electronic information by mid-2027”.
The eFTI4EU project, aims at digitising freight transport documents, which currently heavily rely on paper. According to those promoting this project, it will lead to saving labour resources in data processing and having faster information exchanges. However, a fragmented situation such as the one in Europe might hinder the smoothness of a large-scale eFTI implementation.
Full-scale pilots (12 national and 8 international) should start next year across the Old Continent, with a Proof of Concept expected before the end of this year. For the rail freight sector, a full migration to a digitised freight transport information system might be easier than for other modes. This is because, when it comes to consignment notes, railways in Europe are connected to either the SMGS, in the east, or CIM, in the west. Both organisations have developed a digital version of the transport document.