September 26, 2024, marks the official entry into force in Italy of the “Protocol on the Electronic Consignment Note”. This is a long-awaited milestone for the transport sector, which to this day remains heavily reliant on paper documents, especially in international transport. Beyond the legal framework, many operational factors are required to ensure that this addition to the CMR Convention, introducing the electronic consignment note (e-CMR), can truly drive a radical transformation across industry practices.

From this perspective, it is essential to look at the experience of early adopters of these new technologies. The Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, specifically the Port of Trieste, alongside the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), already stand out as pioneers in implementing this data exchange and communication framework, having carried out several trials over the years—the most recent just a few days ago. On September 23, 2024, a real-world trial of the e-CMR was successfully concluded on a shipment of pharmaceuticals.

The shipment originated at the GRUBER Logistics warehouse in Padua, where a truck from the South Tyrolean company transported the pharmaceuticals to the Port of Trieste, where they were loaded on board bound for Turkey. Implementing the e-CMR protocol ensured full interoperability between the IT systems of all stakeholders involved (warehouse, transport operator, Port Authority, Customs Agency, and Guardia di Finanza) and enabled access through the port entry gate without requiring a prior customs export declaration.

To achieve this, ACCUDIRE’s blockchain-based e-CMR was used. Once validated by ADM’s central AIDA system through the issuance of a Unique Transaction Identifier (IUT), it was transmitted to the Port Community System of the Port of Trieste (Sinfomar, developed by Info.Era Srl) and subsequently to Port Tracking, a system operated jointly by ADM and the Guardia di Finanza. All public and private stakeholders received real-time certified data regarding the shipment and its progress. This pilot test proved the effectiveness of system interoperability and demonstrated the transformative potential of the e-CMR in streamlining the transport and logistics industry.

The success of this pilot test was made possible thanks to excellent coordination among various stakeholders: the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, the GRUBER Logistics team in Trieste, Info.Era Srl, Accudire Srl, the Guardia di Finanza, the Customs Agency, and Sogei.

Vittorio Torbianelli, extraordinary commissioner of the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, stated: “The first electronic CMR is another important step toward a future of fully paperless logistics flows across the ports of the AdSP MAO, bringing faster transit times, greater sustainability, and lower costs for operators. Successfully testing and rolling out new technologies, however, essentially depends on the ability of all stakeholders—both institutions and market operators—to coordinate and share a common vision.”

Martin Gruber, CEO of GRUBER Logistics, who has been involved in electronic CMR testing for several years, highlighted the importance of a systemic approach, while pointing out that the e-CMR itself can lead the way toward change. “The Port of Trieste is already highly advanced in this regard, but we believe that adopting the electronic CMR could paradoxically offer even greater advantages in scenarios where digitalisation is less mature. For instance, it could serve as an advance arrival notice at less digitally equipped ports, streamlining logistics operations and enhancing freight traceability.” Martin Gruber also stressed that: “Our sector is generally neither resilient nor quick to embrace innovations of this nature. To ensure the effective adoption of the electronic CMR, there must come a point where it becomes mandatory. Only then can we establish a single communication system and align all stakeholders around its use.”

Abramo Vincenzi, CEO of ACCUDIRE, pointed out that “close public-private collaboration—and specifically the commitment of the Customs Agency and the Port Network Authority—has historically been, and continues to be, a crucial driving force in delivering innovation and transformation projects for the entire export and international freight forwarding sector, such as the push toward the adoption of the e-CMR.”