Berlin – Joint eFTI Conference: Europe Accelerates the Digitalisation of Freight Transport

Berlin, Ministry of Transport in Germany, hosted the joint annual conference of eFTI4EU and eFTI4ALL: “Tomorrow’s Freight Transport.”
The event brought together more than 300 participants from 41 countries 🌍 – including representatives of transport companies, digital solution developers, public authorities, and EU policymakers.

The aim of the conference was to unite representatives from Europe’s public and private sectors to accelerate the digitalisation of freight documentation and processes across the European Union. The discussions focused on how the implementation of the European Regulation on electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI Regulation), through the projects eFTI4EU, eFTI4ALL, and the newly launched eFTI4LIVE, helps to build a common data exchange system between businesses and public authorities, reduce bureaucracy, and improve logistics efficiency 🚛.

Digitalisation – the foundation of competitiveness and sustainability 🌱
Opening the event, Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry of Transport, stressed that the eFTI Regulation is a key milestone in modernising Europe’s logistics sector. “Beyond reducing bureaucracy, digitalisation also strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and contributes to climate goals. The future of European transport will be digitally connected,” said Hirte.

Maja Bakran Kopczyńska, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, highlighted that effective eFTI implementation depends on close cooperation between Member States, businesses, and the public sector.
“We need to look at transport digitalisation more broadly and competitively – this is an opportunity to attract new users and workers into the logistics sector while building a smarter and more sustainable transport ecosystem,” she said.

eFTI – a practical reality, not just a concept
Conference participants had the chance to see Germany’s eFTI Gateway in action, demonstrated by Toll Collect, the Federal Office for Mobility and Logistics (BALM), and their partners. The presentation showed how digital data can be used for real-time transport checks instead of paper documents 📑. Toll Collect CEO Mark Erichsen underlined: “eFTI will only work if cooperation and coordination are ensured. The public and private sectors must work hand in hand.”

Business readiness – the key to competitive advantage
In the second part of the conference, businesses shared their experience in preparing for eFTI adoption and integration into freight transport processes. ABONA, GBK Trusted Partner, and the Digital Logistics Competence Center (DLK) showcased concrete technological solutions and pilot initiatives.

During a panel discussion, Rugilė Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė, Head of the Transport Innovation Association (TIA), emphasised that close cooperation among all market players is essential for building trust, ensuring data interoperability, and achieving sustainable progress.
“In the competitive race, those organisations will win that are the first to prepare for the mandatory application of the eFTI Regulation,” she stressed.

“eFTI will be a real game-changer, driving the digitalisation of transport control operations and giving a boost to B2B transaction digitalisation. In just 600 days, when the eFTI Regulation becomes mandatory for all EU authorities, businesses will have a great opportunity to digitise their eCMRs, eCIMs, and other control documents. Those who prepare first will win – and for IT companies, this will open opportunities to develop new, user-friendly solutions for logistics and forwarding companies,” added Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė.

Insights from European project leaders
At the close of the event, Eva Killar, coordinator of the eFTI4EU project, underlined that this year’s conference showed the initiative has reached a maturity stage.
“This conference truly demonstrated how cooperation turns vision into reality. eFTI is no longer just a concept on paper – it is becoming a practical, interoperable solution, built through joint European efforts. The energy and engagement we witnessed here in Berlin show that the digital transformation of freight transport is already happening, and we are ensuring it is smart, sustainable, and inclusive,” said Killar. Jan Bergstrand, coordinator of the eFTI4ALL project, added: “Now, with three eFTI CEF projects underway, Europe has a unique opportunity to accelerate digitalisation in transport and logistics. In eFTI4ALL we aim for tangible results, relying on practical examples and the involvement of economic operators. The Berlin conference gave us many promising signs of progress.”

A new phase: eFTI4LIVE 🚀
The conference also introduced the new eFTI4LIVE project, led by the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Mobility. It involves 54 partners from 18 EU countries, with a budget of €47.8 million and a four-year duration. The project will further develop the eFTI ecosystem, focusing on platform certification, interoperability frameworks, and practical implementation readiness.

About eFTI4EU and eFTI4ALL
eFTI4EU and eFTI4ALL are European Commission–supported initiatives to implement the eFTI Regulation. Their goal is to simplify freight documentation, foster interoperability between businesses and public authorities, and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s transport sector through digital transformation.