Marco Polo eFreight is a
promotion and dissemination project designed to achieve fast and comprehensive use of electronic transactions (known as “eFreight”) in the shortsea, river and rail freight sectors in Europe. The objective is to enable transport buyers, carriers and port communities to deliver
excellent service and achieve
vital efficiency gains through the increased use of standardised eFreight.
Background
The intermodal logistics chain is complex and involves many parties exchanging vital information. Customers demand real-time data and immediate responses. Different platforms, protocols and systems make the integration and interpretation of this information across the supply chain costly and error-prone.
Solution
The solution is to utilise electronic transactions based on existing standardised EU/UN messages - or messages that can be mapped into such formats. While this is commonplace in deep-sea shipping, comprehensive electronic data interchange has had minimal impact on the European market.
Objectives and deliveries
The objective is to achieve the wide use of electronic transactions within the European logistics community. This will be carried out through a series of activities that are designed to assist, encourage and promote the use of existing messages and mapping services. An open and comprehensive on-line facility will provide message guides to explain the range of standardised message formats currently available; implementation guides will advise on how best to utilize these messages; and an eFreight guide will give specific guidance on how to connect to individual companies. Training will be given.
Scope
Four business processes will be re-innovated (planning, booking,
shipping and invoicing). Our aim is to improve co-operation and
knowledge sharing among participants.
Initiative
The project is the initiative of the Shortsea Promotion Centres (SPCs),
who will actively promote eFreight to transport buyers, carriers and
port communities in their countries. It is expected that many more
companies will join the project once it gets underway.