Freight Transport Logistics in Europe - the key to sustainable mobility Europe's transport policy has been characterized by liberalisation and harmonization over the years. This has slowly shaped the transport system into what it is today. Globalization and the concept of wider Europe create further challenges. The fast growth of freight transport - driven to a large extent by economic decisions - contributes to growth and employment but also causes congestion, accidents, noise, pollution, increased reliance on imported fossil fuels, and energy loss. Infrastructure resources are limited and any disruption in the supply chain (i.e. energy) has necessarily a negative impact on the EU economy. Without adequate measures, the situation will continue worsening and increasingly undermine Europe's competitiveness and the environment that we all live in. To overcome such problems, Europe's transport system needs to be optimized by means of advanced logistics solutions. Logistics can increase the efficiency of individual modes of transport and their combinations. As a result, fewer units of transport, such as vehicles, wagons, and vessels should carry more freight. Impact on the environment will decrease accordingly. Rail and inland waterways need to be modernized. Air freight should be more closely integrated in the system. The positive development of short sea shipping should be accelerated. Deep-sea shipping and its hinterland connections need to be enhanced. Shifts to more environmentally friendly modes must be achieved where appropriate, especially on long distance, in urban areas, and on congested corridors. At the same time each transport mode must be optimized. All modes must become more environmentally friendly, safer, and more energy efficient. Finally, co-modality, i.e. the efficient use of different modes on their own and in combinations, will result in an optimal and sustainable utilization of resources. OVER TO YOU 1 Do you also have to deal with growing freight traffic in your country? 2 How do you think transport systems could be improved? 3 How do you think intermodal transport systems can make freight transport more efficient? In this week's issue of our GLOBAL TRADE magazine we offer some expert advice on how to successfully ship goods abroad from Hank Wilcox. As the export manager for Jonsion Cosmetics, Hank oversees the distribution of cosmetic products to more than 40 countries worldwide. Overseas trade and logistics issues play a major role in the company's business. How do you successfully manage shipping logistics at Jonston Cosmeties? I think it's most important to work with good freight forwarders. So before we actually choose a freight forwarder, we check whether their service level comes up to our standards. What exactly does that mean? Well, it means that we only want to work with forwarders who meet certain requirements. One thing that's really important is reliability. We need to be 100 per cent sure that our consignments are delivered to the customer at the right time. We also expect a high level of communication and co-operation between the forwarder and ourselves. And our forwarders must be able to provide flexible transport solutions at short notice. And what about transport costs? The price is also important obviously, but as I said, there are other things to consider such as quality of service, handling of paperwork and advice. We usually ask for four quotations for each shipment. What about all the documentation required in overseas trade? We have a team of experienced logistics people who discuss the best possible freight options with the customer and handle all the paperwork. Documentation is really very important, especially if things go wrong. So we always make sure we have copies and duplicates of every document in case something is lost. Consignments can easily be damaged in transit. Are your customers aware of that? Yes, we always advise our customers on the risks and offer them the most suitable insurance for their consignments. Unfortunately, handling damage is quite common so it's always a good idea to insure a consignment. And insurance is less expensive than most people would expect; it usually costs between one and two per cent of the consignment's value. OVER TO YOU 1 Do you have any experience in dealing with freight forwarders? Does the text mention everything a 'good' forwarder should be able to do? Can you add other aspects? 2 If you had to choose a forwarder, what criteria would be most important for you? 4 In what case would you recommend freight insurance?