Revolutionising Transportation: KEYSTONE Shines at Connecting Europe Days 2024
KEYSTONE Consortium Partners at Connecting Europe Days in Brussels, Belgium
Maria Magaliou (Aethon Engineering), Massimo Arnese (CIM Interporto di Novara), Zoe Petrakou & Alex Papacharalampous (Aethon Engineering) (from left to right)
From 2-5 April 2024, KEYSTONE was present at the Connecting Europe Days (formerly known as TEN-T Days) which took place at the Square Meeting Center in Brussels, Belgium this year. KEYSTONE’s presence was led by consortium partner Aethon Engineering, including CEO-CTO Mr Alex Papacharalampous, Communication Specialist Mrs Maria Magaliou, and Project Manager Mrs Zoe Petrakou. Project partner CIM (Interporto di Novara) represented by Mr Massimo Arnese was also present and supported the dissemination of the key messages of the project and explore synergies. KEYSTONE seized the opportunity to showcase its groundbreaking efforts to transform the logistics landscape across Europe.
Debate 12: Digitalising Logistics – The EU Regulation on Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) and Beyond
Birgit Fassbender (Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport), Matjaž Auflič (Trinet Informatika), Hanane Becha (The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business), Toni Penttinen (Ahola Digital), Annika Kroon (DG MOVE, European Commission) (from left to right)
The event hosted over 2,500 participants from EU Member States and neighboring countries, provided an ideal platform for KEYSTONE to unveil its mission to revolutionise transport and logistics digitisation. With 80 stands representing various projects with similar visions, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation for the future of road transport, rail transport, maritime operations, and environmental sustainability.
Zoe Petrakou (Aethon Engineering) delivering a pitch speach at Connecting Europe Days
At the heart of it all, KEYSTONE’s pitch on April 4th captured the essence of its ambition. Mrs Zoe Petrakou, with passion and clarity, articulated the challenges the logistics sector is currently facing: data fragmentation, lack of standardisation, and disjointed communication between operators and authorities. But within these challenges lie opportunities for innovation and progress, and KEYSTONE is at the forefront of this transformative journey.
KEYSTONE is more than just a project; it’s a bold endeavor endorsed by the European Union and guided by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (DG CINEA). Its mission is crystal clear – to develop a tailored digital solution that addressed the urgent needs of the logistics industry. Through its innovative web application, KEYSTONE empowers authorities to optimise workload, streamline traffic flow, and automate compliance checks. For operators, it offers a seamless experience, facilitating smooth border crossings, complete documentation, and verified compliance across Europe.
Yet, KEYSTONE’s impact extends far beyond technology. By establishing API standards for data sharing between operators and authorities, it fosters collaboration, transparency, and interoperability. This means breaking down silos and ensuring critical information flows freely and securely across the transport ecosystem.
eFTi-related Living Labs from the FEDERATED project-DG Move booth
Rudy Hemeleers (51Biz Luxembourg)
But perhaps most compelling is the broader impact of KEYSTONE’s work. Integrating cutting-edge technologies like edge-computing cameras and Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) solutions, is not just enhancing efficiency; It’s enhancing safety, reducing costs, and minimising CO2 emissions. This isn’t just about innovation; it’s about shaping the future of transportation for generations to come not only in Europe but globally.
KEYSTONE matters because it’s about more than just moving goods from point A to point B. It’s about ensuring that those goods are transported safely, efficiently, and sustainably. It’s about empowering stakeholders, enhancing collaboration, and unlocking the full potential of the logistics industry.
The close connection between KEYSTONE and Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) was of particular interest, and presented a topic that ignited fervent discussions among attendees. Recognising the potential synergy between the two projects, KEYSTONE pledged to delve deeper into eFTI's intricacies, aligning its research and development efforts accordingly. Moreover, KEYSTONE's engagement with the eFTI4EU project consortium underscored its commitment to forging robust partnerships for mutual growth and knowledge exchange. KEYSTONE project partners had the opportunity to meet with experts, such as Mr Alexio Picco, Managing Director of Circle Group, Mr Marco Gorini Senior Consultant and Intelligent Transport Systems Manager and Mrs Valeria Burlando, Senior Consultant and Strategic Communication & Marketing Manager from Magellan Circle and are looking forward to collaborating more closely with them in the future.
As the event unfolded, KEYSTONE attracted the attention of DG MOVE officers, who expressed keen interest in the project's developments. Discussions ensued regarding future collaborations and presentations for DG MOVE and the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF), aligning seamlessly with KEYSTONE's objectives of knowledge dissemination and cross-fertilisation across projects and initiatives.
The enthusiastic reception at Connecting Europe Days 2024 underscored the project's momentum and potential for transformative impact. With plans to expand its outreach and showcase even more innovations in the future, KEYSTONE remains steadfast in its commitment to reshaping the transportation landscape. Join us on this journey as we pave the way for a future where logistics are seamless, efficient, and sustainable, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Author: Zoe Petrakou (Aethon Engineering)