DG Tren spells out its aims and strategies at the European Freight & Logistics Leaders Forum in Helsinki

Speaking at the recent European Freight Logistics Leaders Forum, held in Helsinki, Zoltan Kazatsay, Deputy Director General of the European Commission DG Tren, presented delegates from over 12 countries with an overview of the European Commission's various strategies and goals as they relate to transport and supply chain management:

"The European Commission wants to promote greater professionalism in logistics planning and a multimodal approach to transportation since we are convinced that advanced freight transport logistics is the key to efficient and sustainable mobility.

"Efficient logistics services make our economy more competitive. The costs of logistics are considerable and should therefore be kept under control, in particular personnel and fuel costs, which are the main cost components.

"Efficient logistics should and will play a positive role in reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions produced by transport systems."

In June 2006, the European Commission presented a communication on freight transport logistics to encourage efficiency gains within each transport mode and a better linking together of different modes. This, said Mr Kazatsay, is very much in line with Vice-President Jacques Barrot's concept of co-modality.

In March 2007, the Commission carried out a questionnaire-based survey to sound out the concerns of industry and policy actors. Following this, the Commission sent out an open invitation to stakeholders to identify bottlenecks.

In early May, the Commission held a major conference on logistics in conjunction with the German EU Presidency, at which a number of proposals for policy action were presented for discussion.

One area where action at EU level seems to be needed is that of information and communication technology (ICT). Mr Kazatsay explained:

"ICT can help make better use of transport infrastructure, reduce operating costs, improve service levels as well as security and safety, and increase transparency in the market place."

"The main reasons why logistics should be addressed at EU level are as follows:

- it is expected that cross-border freight transport will increase from 20% today to 80% by 2020
- standardisation and harmonisation do not make sense unless they are for the whole of Europe."

Another area of work for the EU might be quality assurance and benchmarking, he added.

The action plan on freight transport logistics, which the Commission is going to present in the autumn, will address the above mentioned two issues but also simplification, training, the promotion of services, eFreight, green corridors for rail, motorways of the sea, inland waterways and road.

He concluded:

"It is necessary to tackle all of these issues on a joint basis: national authorities, private sector actors and the European Commission."

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For further information:

Gavin W Roser
Press Agent
Glasgow
30 July 2007

Email: gavinroser@pantrak.com
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