Auer/La Spezia – In mid-October 2025, Gruber Logistics, in collaboration with Circle Group and under the framework of two EU-funded initiatives, eFTI4EU and KEYSTONE, carried out a pilot test of a paperless freight transport operation at the Port of La Spezia, marking a major milestone in the digitalisation of European logistics.
The pilot on October 15, 2025, involved transporting a container of goods from La Spezia, the Ligurian port, to Bologna Freight Village, fully managed by Gruber Logistics. During the testing phase several aspects were validated, including the automatic transmission of ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) data from Gruber Logistics’ TMS system to the KEYSTONE platform, the generation and sharing of the electronic consignment note (e-CMR), and the relying exclusively on electronic data exchanges between logistics operators, public platforms and control authorities. The pilot confirmed seamless interoperability between the KEYSTONE web application and the eFTI platform, the eFTI Gate Italy node, and the Port Community System (PCS) of La Spezia, allowing data to flow automatically, reducing manual input and redundancies, and enabling control authorities to carry out faster, simpler digital checks.
This was the first time in Italy, that the entire transport process was conducted without any paper documentation. The electronic consignment note (e-CMR) was generated, signed, shared and verified digitally, while the police and customs authorities performed checks using secure QR codes and digital connections via the national eFTI platform.
A step forward for European digital logistics
The test is part of the validation activities of the two EU-funded initiatives, eFTI4EU and KEYSTONE projects, two EU-initiatives, working towards the creation of a European network of interoperable platforms for data exchange between logistics and transport operators and enforcement authorities.
Both initiatives highlight the importance of digital solution for harmonised legislation, integrated platforms and secure data-sharing frameworks to advance digital transformation in the transport and logistics sector, while supporting the environmental and sustainability objectives of the European Union.
Prof. Mauro Dell’Amico, Project Coordinator of KEYSTONE, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia:“As coordinators of the KEYSTONE project, we are proud to see the results of our joint efforts with industrial and institutional partners becoming tangible. This pilot demonstrates how research and innovation can directly contribute to a smarter, greener, and more interoperable European logistics system. The success of this test marks an important step towards the real implementation of digital freight transport, showing that collaboration across projects like KEYSTONE and eFTI4EU can turn the vision of seamless, paperless logistics into reality.”
Marco Manfredini, Chief Operating Officer of Gruber Logistics:“This test represents a tangible milestone towards the full digitalization of freight transport. We have demonstrated that the combined use of interoperable platforms and electronic documents can completely eliminate paper, improve transparency, and simplify inspections. It is a step forward for European logistics and an example of how collaboration between industry, research, and institutions can accelerate innovation in the sector.”
Luca Abatello, CEO of Circle Group:“This pilot represents a concrete step forward on the path towards fully digital, interoperable and sustainable European logistics. The interconnection between public and private platforms demonstrates how collaboration and data sharing can improve the competitiveness of the sector, reduce administrative burdens and promote more transparent and efficient management of operations. We are proud that this trial (using also our MILOS and eFTI Platform) can reconcile technological innovation, international cooperation and a focus on sustainability, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the eFTI Regulation and the principles of the Connect 4 Agile Growth industrial plan.”
