Workshop Report: Multimodal activities at the transport & logistics fair

In the framework the Transport Logistic trade fair was held a workshop focused on the multimodal activities of the European project Meridian, organized at the stand of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea.

During the workshop the ports and the stakeholders involved, presented their activities, shared best practices and knowledge, as well as the presentation of the status of solutions implemented by each partner within the project. MERIDIAN is a European project funded under the CEF-Connecting Europe Facility programme, which aims to improve the digitalization of mobility systems through the implementation of ICT solutions along freight transport corridors.

This Capitalization Workshop has started with a brief introduction by Mrs. Anna Esposito from the Port of Ravenna Authority, who introduced the agenda by outlining the goals and setting the stage for evaluating and monitoring the outcomes of the four interrelated panels, including the one held during this session. She clarified how shared learning and common metrics would enhance the effectiveness of pilot initiatives presented throughout the event.

Indeed, the workshop was divided into two panels:

Panel 1 – Trucks Monitoring Systems and Integration with Other Transport Modes

This session focused on smart solutions to monitor truck flows in and around port areas and their integration with rail and other modes.

Speakers & Key Points:

Andrea Minardi from the Port of Ravenna Authority, presented the current phase of a trucks monitoring pilot in Ravenna, showcasing the use of real-time data to streamline access control, reduce waiting times, and improve coordination with port operators;
Veronika Carli from the Port of Trieste introduced advanced digital twin and IoT tools supporting secure and efficient truck handling, while linking to related EU projects MILEPORT and ACCESSMILE;
Simone Pacciardi from the Port System Authority of Eastern Ligurian Sea
showcased how IT monitoring optimizes last-mile connections between the port and its dry port in Santo Stefano Magra;

Alberto Milotti from ZAI-Verona, explored synergies between Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) and rail freight, positioning SSTPAs as key intermodal nodes.

Panel 2 – Environmental Benefits of Digitalization Applied to the Logistics Supply Chain

This panel addressed how digital innovation supports sustainability and decarbonization goals in logistics.

Speakers & Key Points:

Margherita Banzi from Interporto of Bologna described sustainability initiatives at the dry port, including solar energy systems and smart infrastructure.
Massimo Arnese from CROSSTEC S.r.l. (CIM) discussed how Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding supports the digital modernization of dry ports and contributes to meeting EU Green Deal targets. Introducing the capitalization of Meridian project with the project “ELODIE”, he focused the attention on the interoperability and data sharing.
Michele Bonistalli from Port System Authority of North Tyrrhenian Sea presented strategies for reducing emissions through optimized logistics planning,
through smart scheduling, real-time data use, and enhanced communication between logistics operators.
Fabrizio Borgogna from GRUBER LOGISTICS focused on digital inclusion for SMEs and highlighted how ACCESSMILE complements Meridian’s vision.

Conclusion

The focus of the workshop therefore, was on multimodality and the key words were:

Capitalisation: some partners presented other European projects that share objectives and best practices with Meridian, with a view to ensuring continuity of objectives and strategies;
Environmental sustainability: the benefits of digitalization for the environmental sustainability in logistics processes through more integrated and innovative solutions. It was underlined how integrated, complete and multimodal systems can improve the accessibility by road.

The workshop concluded marking a successful exchange of insights and setting the foundation for future joint actions among European ports and logistics stakeholders, emphasizing the collaborative nature of multimodal innovation.

This workshop called for ongoing cross-port cooperation and reinforced the importance of aligning digital transformation with environmental objectives and operational efficiency.

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