Successful supply chain solutions: from co-modal to synchro-modal transport

Time and place:


Date:  19 October 2015
Time:  18.30
Place:  European Parliament (Member's Salon)

 

 

BRUSSELS, 19 October 2015 – At the ninth event of the European Logistics Platform (ELP), 40 EU policymakers and industry stakeholders came together to review and discuss positive experiences with synchromodal and intermodal services in port-hinterland container transport and in logistics supply chains.

 

The event was hosted by Wim van de Camp MEP, member of the TRAN committee and rapporteur of the INI report on the White Paper on Transport, who underlined the significance of a balanced approach of co-modal and multi-modal transport solutions in the supply chain: “If policy makers want to contribute to a more competitive and resource-efficient transport system, it is crucial that each mode of transport must be optimised and become more efficient and sustainable; at the same time we must create the right framework and support concepts like synchromodality which lead to improved co-operation among the different modes of transport.”

 

The event discussed different stakeholder perspectives with regard to the challenges and opportunities of synchromodality. Rob Bagchus, Chief Public Affairs & Public Relations Officer Europe Container Terminals (ECT), highlighted the importance of hinterland transport by using an integrated network of inland terminals with high frequent rail and barge connections which leads to lower costs at a higher quality level for the customer. From the shipper’s perspective, Marc Verelst, in charge of supply chain Research & innovation at Procter & Gamble, presented a New Intermodal Network Approach (NINA) and emphasized that an open network and a multidimensional collaboration amongst all stakeholders are necessary to make synchromodal transport operations a success. Sandro Santamato, Head of Unit Maritime Transport and Logistics in DG MOVE, referred to specific challenges for logistics in Europe like administrative burden, poor infrastructure, unexploited ICT potential, unequal performance of transport modes but presented also different initiatives of the Commission to tackle these challenges, such as the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum.

 

In conclusion, Nicolette van der Jagt, vice-chair of the European Logistics Platform and moderator of the event said: ‘Synchromodal transport enables more efficient and sustainable transport. Europe needs to facilitate more pilot projects on a national and European level to embrace the full potential of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to secure comodal and synchromodal traffic management.’

 

The European Logistics Platform consists of more than twenty industry stakeholders representing a wide variety of actors involved in logistics and supply chains across Europe. Current members are ACEA, BDL, CER, CLECAT, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Post DHL Group, duisport, ECG, EIM, ESC, ECSLA, ERFA, FERRMED, FTA, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V., HERE - a Nokia business, Hutchison Whampoa, IRU, Michelin, Nordic Logistics Association, P&G, RFG, SAP, TLN, Volvo Group.

 

For more information: www.europeanlogisticsplatform.eu