Harnessing ICT for better coordination in global supply chains

Experts in information and communications technologies around the world are gathering in Genoa, Italy, 8-9 March to discuss how to better coordinate global freight transport systems.

“Efficient transportation of goods is critical to global trade, and is often hampered by lack of coordination between the different actors involved,” said Jack Short, Secretary General of the International Transport Forum. “This challenge is magnified by the need to meet increasing demands on capacity as well as achieving environmental and climate protection goals,” said Mr Short. “ICT has the potential to help address many of these challenges.”

The round table entitled ICT for Innovative Global Freight Transport Systems, organised in conjunction with the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Italian International Institute for Communications, will challenge current practices and discuss innovations that could address issues like hinterland connections in global supply chains, coordination of operations for best use of assets and resources, the potential to share data, and recognition of security practices applied along the supply chain.

Experts will also discuss the idea of open access web based services to match freight loads and help optimise mode choices and routing. More open access systems for freight could support users in selecting the best alternatives for intermodal transport.

“Open access services have the potential to be a source of innovation that enables small and medium sized companies to better access markets,” said Mr. Short. The findings of this round table will be considered by international experts and Transport Ministers from up to 52 countries at the upcoming 2010 International Transport Forum, to be held on 26-28 May, in Leipzig, Germany.