Findings of the CaaS Nordic and ITS Estonia collaboration workshop in Tallinn May 3-4.2022

The leading Finnish and Baltic digital logistics experts and authorities gathered to Tallinn to brainstorm with CaaS Nordic moderation on how the North-South logistics corridor could be enhanced to the urgent needs of our economies.

The authority view was given by Estonian, Lithuanian and Finnish ministries. 

Estonian initiatives regarding transportation digitalisation were described by Mr Juku Paulus and Introduction of new call to support development of eCMR platforms was given by Maarja Mänd – both from Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Interestingly the new Estonian platforms call will make use of the EU RRF fund to create eFTI platforms and eCMR interfaces with 6MEUR in 2022–2025-time frame to support the all-important private sector involvement in digital logistics – a good example about pro-activeness. This is definitely something that should be copied in all EU countries that wish to reach concrete results in digital logistics

Digital Common Access Point for paperless cargo corridor and eFTI Regulations were elaborated by Heiti Mering from Digital Logistics Centre of Excellence, who has made a thorough study of eFTI implementation alternatives for the Estonian authorities. The interesting proposal by Heiti was to develop National Access Points (NAPs) with neighbouring countries, with the possibility of doing so with Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. This could make use of the upcoming CEF funding round to interface and better prepare for the implementation of eFTI and NAP planning and construction (with neighbouring countries).

The Finnish initiatives regarding transportation digitalisation was described by Maria Rautavirta from Finnish Ministry of Transportation. The Finnish Government programme on digital logistics targets efficient, green and smart logistics. The planned key measures are development of better access, utilization and interoperability of data; development of the logistics data environment; enabling legislation; promotion the industry’s digital know how; improved cyber and information security in logistics; cooperation and promotion of access to monitoring data and development of statistics. Support for digital logistics could be sought from EU RRF based data economy funding in similar way like the Estonia is making. Finland is also seeking eFTI implementation options and developing multimodal digital logistics in the FEDeRATED projects. 

Lithuanian initiatives regarding transportation digitalisation were given by Egidijus Skrodenis, from Infobalt Lithuania. Although the past years have shown a healthy 27 % growth on the Lithuanian transport and logistics sector. The geopolitical situation of recent months is worrying for the Lithuanian transport sector, therefore new opportunities and directions will be actively sought. It is planned that by 2030 Lithuanian transport sector will change rapidly, and the main focus will be on climate change management, the search for new transport and logistics directions, the development of new services, the improvement of infrastructure and transport digitization (innovation) solutions.   

Interestingly 24,5 million Euro until 2026 will be invested for Transport and Logistics development – including the creation of the Lithuanian transport Sandbox. The Sandbox will be used to test and practically apply innovative 5G-based communication technology solutions in various transport sectors in order to address the most pressing societal, business and public sector challenges, promote business and science cooperation, innovation internationalization, automation and robotics development. The Sandbox will ensure creation of value-added jobs, involve of Lithuanian and international start-ups, business and science to develop new business models.

Brainstorming

The joint workshop brainstorms generated four concrete initiatives for joint projects. These projects focused on different funding instruments and various themes under the smart and sustainable logistics. The common theme for all initiatives was PPP collaboration and North-Sea Baltic corridor approach. During the brainstorming actors already agreed that these initiatives will be continued ASAP in upcoming meetings and events. Actors also agreed that these projects are needed to intensify Baltic corridor and hence find the new opportunities and diamonds for local logistics and industry.

Site visit to Muuga Harbour

The second workshop day included visit to Port of Tallinn’s Muuga Harbour, where Hele-Mai Metsal and Janek Toiger gave presentation of Port of Tallinn. 

The vivid port operator views and port tour was given by Andres Uusoja from HHLA TK Estonia AS. Andres raised the issue of the great opportunity of combined road-rail transport on North-South transport corridor. The current challenges are lack of suitable train carriages for combined road-rail transport and lack of joint commitment of Baltics for the North-South eCorridor.  Here the cargo owning Finnish consignors have the power to demand better and resilient services. CaaS Nordic is well positioned to support this kind of initiative and will take the lead in preparing industry committing actions and funding for more resilient and competitive North-South transport corridor.

Matti Lankinen
CEO
Vediafi Ltd
www.vedia.fi

For more information see

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