The EU's TEN-T Programme will support with nearly €570,000 the pilot launch of an IT solution helping to match truck schedule in the port of Rotterdam Rotterdam port. The new tool Boxreload is expected to reduce the number of lorry journeys leading to environmental and business benefits, port of Rotterdam said in its media release.
Road hauliers carrying goods often travel one way with empty containers. Managing better the truck schedule, especially for SMEs, to match freight journeys would most likely lead to cuts in freight operating costs, fuel usage, and ultimately carbon emissions. It will also contribute in reducing traffic in port congested areas.
The aim of this project is to test Boxreload, an IT freight tool, on competing hauliers operating in the Rotterdam area. The tool's effectiveness will be assessed in terms of business sustainability, empty journeys and CO2 emissions saved, and the results will be widely shared in the transport industry.
Previous studies have already demonstrated that the solution works from a technical perspective and has business benefits. A pilot deployment is now required to further define the solution, demonstrate its commercial viability on a larger scale and facilitate deployment in other locations.
The project was selected for EU funding with the assistance of external experts under the TEN-T Annual Call 2013, priority 'Decarbonisation/substitution or environmental cost reduction'. Its implementation will be monitored by INEA, the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.