Freight Logistics Action Plan
Freight Logistics Action Plan
Freight Logistics Action Plan
Freight transport logistics play a key role in economic and social terms by ensuring
European competitiveness and contributing to growth and employment. Thus, efficiency has
to be maintained since the world of industry and business depend on the transport of raw
materials and finished goods across the EU and beyond. Logistics industry is contributing to
14% of GDP and is still on the rise. Consequently, the surge in containerized trade and liner
shipping has brought about high congestion in seaports and port-hinterland connections.
Facing the need for a coherent EU approach to logistics considerations, the European
Commission launched the Freight Logistics Action Plan to improve the efficiency and
sustainability in freight transport in Europe. A communication about the Action Plan was
issued in June 2006 and the initiative was both saluted by the European Parliament in 2007
and the European Economic and social Committee.
The Freight logistics Action Plan sets up short- to medium-terms actions:
E-freight and intelligent transport systems (ITS)
Advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) can be useful in order to
develop co-modality, though improvements are needed for standardization of information
exchanges and market actors disparate capabilities but also for data security and privacy
issues. The e-freight would be the electronic version of the paper which usually track and
trace the freight. This concept could lead to the internet for cargo : services provided by
freight transport operators would be available and compared online and administrative matters
would be simplified. The Intelligence Transport Systems (ITS) strategy should be develop to
better manage infrastructure and transport operations in the field of road transport with
specific requirements such as for navigation systems, digital tachographs and tolling systems.
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in an electronic format. The Commission will then consider making an appropriate legislative
proposal by 2009.
Liability: The absence of uniform and cross-modal liability regime leads to friction costs in
multi modal transport. The Commission is working towards new solutions at a European
level. The need for introduction within the EU of standard (fall-back) liability clause should
be assessed. Consultations must be conducted by 2008, and a possible proposal made in 2009.
The need for a legal instrument to allow full coverage of the existing international, modebased liability regimes over the entire multimodal logistics chain should be assessed.
Consultations must be conducted by 2009, and a possible proposal made in 2010.
Security: As far as the supplychain security for external trade is concerned, the Customs
Code (Regulation(EC)648/2005) was revised and the concept of Authorized Economic
Operator was introduced, also laying down minimum requirements for safety and security
from 2008 onwards. A balance has to be drawn between security procedures fulfilling the
highest requirements and the free flow of trade. Smart technologies can be used to avoid
delays. European standards - in line with existing legislation, international conventions and
international standards - in order to facilitate the secure integration of transport modes in the
logistic chain must be developed by 2008. In the context of the work on guidelines and
minimum standards for maritime and port security matters, simplify port access requirements
should be simplified by 2008.
Vehicle dimensions and loading standards
It is necessary to consider the effects that any modification to the current limits might have on
road safety, energy efficiency, CO 2 emissions, noxious emissions, road infrastructure and
intermodal transport operations, including combined transport. The options for a modification
of the standards for vehicle weights and dimensions should be studied and the added value of
updating Directive 96/53/EC should be considered by 2008. The proposal on Intermodal
Loading Units (COM (2003) 155 final) to technical progress must be updated by 2007. A
mandate for standardizing an optimal European Intermodal Loading Unit that can be used in
all surface modes must be established by 2007. The compatibility of loading units used in air
transport and other modes should be examined, and, if appropriate, proposals be made by
2010.
Green Transport corridors for freight
Green transport corridors will reflect an integrated transport concept where short sea shipping,
rail, inland waterways and road complement each other to enable the choice of
environmentally friendly transport. They could be used to experiment with environmentallyfriendly, innovative transport units, and with advanced ITS applications. This objective is
promoted by other initiatives like the freight-oriented railway network, motorways of the sea
and NAIADES. The opportunities offered by the TEN-T guidelines on the development and
the integration of multimodal transport chains should be taken into account.
Green transport corridors should be defined and cooperation between authorities and freight
transport logistics operators be organized in order to identify improvements to ensure
adequate infrastructure for sustainable transport by 2008. Green corridors must be reinforced
in the TEN-T and in the Marco Polo priorities by 2010. A freight-oriented rail network should
be developed by 2008 and corridors structure made by 2012. The establishment and
recognition of Motorways of the Sea through, among others, a better co-ordination of
different funding sources must be promoted by 2008. The NAIADES programme for inland
waterway transport must be fully implemented by 2013.
In a nutshell, the actions outlined above are designed to help the freight transport logistics
industry towards long-term efficiency and growth. The Members States have to participate
and help throughout the process. The EC will make a report on the progress made by the
implementation of the Action Plan in 2010 which will help to draft the future actions in order
to match freight transport logistics policy with the economic context and technological
developments.