CFAs: Accelerating Freight Transport and Logistics Digital Innovation

The focus areas are: Extended functionalities of electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) platforms including new use cases, solutions and applications enabling harmonised electronic business-to-business (B2B) information sharing and exchange in multimodal logistics chains and hubs such as those related to greenhouse gases (GHG) reporting, sustainability claims, and other actions leveraging efficient and green freight operations in the supply chain; complementary applications and services for electronic business-to-authority (B2A) information sharing aimed to support the implementation by businesses of relevant Union regulatory frameworks in transport or other relevant policy fields, such as in the context of smart enforcement, statistics, customs, e-invoicing, sustainability reporting, data spaces, GHG and external costs calculators; best practices to boost and accelerate the adoption of eFTI framework and data sharing innovations by companies and in particular SMEs; improved efficiency in operations and freight transport through advanced digital connectivity and interoperability of the information shared electronically between actors in both B2B and B2A perspectives, compared to the baseline defined in the start of the project; reduced administrative burden and costs associated with B2B data sharing and B2A regulatory and non-regulatory reporting.

The digital transformation of freight transport and logistics is essential to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness of the sector. The integration of electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) platforms according to Regulation 2020/1056 is central to facilitating seamless information exchange across multimodal transport chains. This work supports new logistics operational concepts, digital tools, and scalable deployment models including digital twins to optimise logistics, fleet management, charging strategies, and cross-border interoperability. Demonstrations are required involving real logistics operators across different European regions and climatic conditions.

Projects should focus on real-life demonstrations of eFTI platform functionality with existing fleets of haulers, shippers, and freight forwarders, covering various types of freight missions, including long-haul and cross-border operations. The goal is to derive insights and lessons learned to address limitations related to vehicle ranges, total cost of ownership, and logistics cost-effectiveness for widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles and digital solutions in freight operations.

Particular emphasis is on ensuring interoperability and data sharing efficiency in compliance with European regulations and standards to facilitate green freight logistics and regulatory reporting obligations. The projects must demonstrate the operation improvements through digital innovations that reduce administrative burdens while boosting sustainability claims and regulatory compliance.

This call is expected to enable the European freight transport sector to transition towards digital-first, decarbonised logistics systems that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial by 2030. The estimated EU contribution per project is between EUR 7.00 and 8.00 million with a total indicative budget of EUR 15.00 million.

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