Logistics (planning, organisation and execution of transport operations) currently account for 10-15% of the final cost of finished products and Europeans spend around 1 trillion euro each year on logistics expenditure.
The aim of the Communication, presented on 28 June 2006 in follow up to the Transport White Paper Mid-Term review (see Euractiv 23 June 2006), is to optimise the use of all transport modes and facilitate their integration into a single supply chain.
This will allow European businesses to cut costs, giving them a more competitive edge and fostering economic growth. More efficient logistics chains will also serve to tackle pollution, congestion and energy dependence.
The Commission has outlined several potential areas of action:
- Promoting multi-modal transport chains and ensuring quality of service (especially for rail transport)
- Introducing smart technologies in all modes of transport
- Administrative simplification: establishing one-stop shops for customs formalities and physical checks
- Ensuring interoperability thanks to common European standards for loading units
An Action Plan for Freight Transport Logistics will be presented in 2007, based on the Communication and further consultations.
