The objective of the Second Annual Stakeholders’ conference is to talk about weaknesses and threats characterizing and affecting the logistics chain with a positive and constructive mindset.
The topic of the conference is:
Let us convert “Weaknesses” and “Threats” for the logistics chain into “Strengths” and “Opportunities”!
The aim is indeed to focus on how to convert difficulties and challenges into strengths and opportunities. If we do want to have seamless sustainable and resilient logistics chains in Europe, it becomes crucial to assess the level integration (physical and digital) of each mode in the logistics chain.
Please read more in the report below ...
Report
Honourable guests,
Dear colleagues,
For the second consecutive year, FEPORT decided to organize a Stakeholders’ conference gathering representatives from EU institutions and Members States. Participants included the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council of Transport Ministers through the presence of Transport Attaches, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank and the Committee of the Regions.
Trade associations, civil society organization, trade unions and experts were also among the attendees and participants to the conference.
FEPORT was particularly delighted to have the political support of the Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, Ms. Violeta Bulc.
The presence of Mr. Stephen Quest, Director General of DG TAXUD was of much significance for all participants, and his positive message to trade associations on issues of common concern was highly appreciated.
We were more than grateful to Ms. Christine Berg, Head of Unit “Maritime Safety” within the DG MOVE “Waterborne Directorate D”, for having kindly accepted to deliver a message on behalf of Mr. Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General of DG MOVE, who had to leave at the last minute on a mission.
Ms. Susanne Aigner, Head of Unit “Customs legislation” at DG TAXUD and Mr. Sandro Santamato, Head of Unit “Maritime and Logistics” at DG MOVE have provided participants with very clear insights about the EU Commission efforts to facilitate trade through digitalization and simplification of administrative procedures.
Ms. Catherine Trautmann’s (TEN-T Coordinator) and Mr. Wim Van de Camp’s (Member of the TRAN Committee of the European Parliament) interventions following the presentation of Mr. Luc T’Joen, (European Court of Auditors) showed that there are certainly areas of improvements which need to be addressed when planning future investments and that there is a need for greater upstream dialogue between relevant actors before the financing of new projects.
Our warmest thanks to Dr Martin Stopford for his insightful keynote speech and comments about the current market developments. The speech undoubtedly supported the view that big difficulties are ahead for all actors if cooperation and rational decisions do not become the basis for the development of the global supply chain.
All key note speeches, presentations and testimonials showed that the topics of the conference are real issues that will need to be addressed by all relevant actors.
We therefore remain persuaded that the “annual gathering exercise” is useful and that there are no taboos, irreversible trends or established order in front of which we should capitulate.
It is always better to discuss and to acknowledge the interdependence that exists between the actors of the supply and logistics chain rather than to blame and shame each other.
Sustainable solutions to problems exist, but they require efforts among others of empathy.
We hope that that “I AM for Connectivity and Logistics for Growth” will help to contribute, in a positive way, to the debates about the Maritime (2017) and multimodal (2018) years that have been announced by Commissioner Bulc during her opening speech.
Our warmest thanks to all of you for your presence and support.
As food for our future thoughts, we offer you some quotes from Ms. Bulc’s inspiring opening speech which summarizes the topics of the conference and lists what should be the main areas of focus in the coming years:
“Often we look at ports and terminals only as an interface between ship and shore.
But ports are much more: they are an important player in logistics network. They are critical for connecting Europe to the world and for an efficient internal market.
But they are also places where a lot of value is created, during transshipment, but also independent of logistic operation.
We need to fully understand the role that ports and terminals are playing as both logistic players and, more and more, as industry hubs, to integrate them well within the logistic network.”
.....data should become available and accessible to the greatest extent possible. To have information about - where the goods are,
- what options are available for shipping them,
- what the cost are for shipping them, including external cost like C02”
“We also need to agree on rules on who gives access to data, how to use and re-use the data.” ‘At the same time, we must enable integrated solutions for a logistic network to become more efficient.”
“Digitalisation offers huge opportunities to optimise cargo flows, enable new business models and value added services. That’s why we have to invest a lot into this work.
“But clearly, investments in physical infrastructure will continue to be needed as well. We need more, but also smarter investments.
Three elements are important, to make this happen:
- Legal certainty and transparency
- Better Governance
- Innovative financial instruments”
“Clearly, innovation is critical for all that I have been saying today. Because of the time constraints, I don’t want to go into detail. Suffice to say that the Commission is working on Strategic Agenda for Innovation and Research in Transport, and that logistics and multimodal solutions are an area where innovation is happening already but where further support is needed. So, be assured: you are on our map.
“Collaboration across industries and transport modes are crucial for all three points and the creation of the Industry Alliance announced today is therefore very welcome! | expect that it will provide valuable input to the platforms the Commission is hosting, including the Digital Transport and Logistic Forum and the TEN-T Corridor Fora.”
We are sure that 2017 and 2018 will offer us the opportunity to work on those topics and improve.
The EU economy, its growth and the people deserve our collective efforts.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and many enjoyable moments with your families and friends.
See you next year.
Kind regards, FEPORT
