International Conference on Paperless Freight Transport Logistics
10-11 May 2011, Munich, Germany
For the European freight transport sector to be able to improve its competitiveness whilst at the same time coping with increasing volumes and responding to the demands of society for sustainability, it will be necessary to better utilise available transport resources and infrastructure. A key determinant of efficiency in freight logistics is the capability to draw maximum benefit from information and communication technologies. In this, e -Freight denotes the vision of a paper-free, electronic flow of information associating the physical flow of goods with a paperless trail built by information and communication technologies. It includes the ability to track and trace freight along its journey across transport modes and to automate the exchange of cargo-related data for regulatory or commercial purposes.
To meet the above goals, cooperation is needed between the key transport stakeholders including users (shippers), transport integrators, carriers and terminal operators. Such co-operation relies on making information exchange more efficient. Further, the barrier for “connecting” to logistics networks relying on electronic exchange of information needs to be significantly lower than currently is the case.
The European Commission has for some time now funded research and co-ordination actions to investigate improved interoperability solutions in the transport sector. Current policy initiatives are strongly focused in this area.
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Electronic information exchange in transport, is, however not just a European issue, but it is a global issue. Hence, the EU projects e-Freight, SKEMA, PROPS, SUPPORT, DiSCwise, CONTAIN [1] , CASSANDRA [1] and eMAR [1] invite industry, research and academic communities to meet and discuss how best to establish a new paradigm for electronic information exchange in freight transport and logistics.
Within the topic of efficient, electronic information exchange, the scope of the conference is wide.
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Welcome message
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to e-Freight 2011, the brand new conference on Paperless Freight Transport Logistics in a multimodal context, and to lively Munich.
We have a trong vision to make this conference the place to be in the exciting research area of information exchange on planning, executing and reporting for multimodal freight transport and logistics.
The e-Freight 2011 conference features a very strong technical program, assembled under the expert leadership of Program Chair Dr Bill Karakostas, from the HCID of the City University of London. I’d like to thank him and the Technical Program Committee for putting together this great technical program and thank all the authors for submitting their work to e-Freight 2011.
In addition, we are fortunate to have excellent Keynote Speeches, who will give us multiple views on initiatives on e-Freight. EC Policy, US progress on the issue, how is rail progressing with electronic information exchange and, finally, a lawyer’s perspective on the transport integration.
On the second day, the conference will feature a lively and informative Round Table discussion on the challenges of achieving e-Freight along the global supply chain.
I hope that you will find the conference informative and enjoyable!
M. Vayou. Conference General Chair
[1] Under contract negotiation at the time of publication of this call
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