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NEWSLETTER

SCOPE Newsletter #4

By NEWSLETTER

Editorial
Dear reader,

The SCOPE project provides a transnational, innovative and market-driven platform to minimise the “less-than-full” or “empty” cargo shipments of the road freight transport system in the Balkan area and connects SMEs in a user-friendly, collaborative environment. The digitalization of freight transport operational tasks would save time for both shippers, carriers and transport service providers along the South-eastern TEN-Tcorridor and bring significant GHG emission reductions through eco-driving added-value services.

Attila Akac
Hellenic Institute of Transport / Centre for Research and Technology Hellas Senior Researcher, SCOPE project technical implementation associate

Greek communication event

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Department of Civil Engineering (AUTH – PP2) in close cooperation with the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH –PP1) and the Professionals’ Chamber of Thessaloniki (PCTH – PP3) have successfully organized between September 16-18th, 2021
the 1st SCOPE Communication Event about the project. The event was held during the International Thessaloniki Fair (85 th ITF 2021) in a specific exhibition corner dedicated to SCOPE project
for a 3-day period(16-18th September 2021) in the CERTH’s exhibition kiosk. Around one-hundred fifty (150) stakeholders visited the SCOPE exhibition corner and were interested in the SCOPE platform features and future exploitation methods. Invited stakeholders had the opportunity to learn about the SCOPE project’s impacts, completed outputs and expected results with a special focus on the video presentation of the SCOPE FEP’s revised alpha version before proceeding to a fruitful discussion and evaluation of the platform’s offered services.

Albanian communication event

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT – PP7) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE – PP8) organized on September 27, 2021 the 2nd SCOPE Communication Event about the SCOPE project in Tirana. The event was successfully organized in hybrid version (both physical and online). Invited stakeholders discussed about the SCOPE project’s results and current implementation actions evaluating the SCOPE FEP’s revised alpha version. They also commented and provided their feedback about the platform’s offered services and usability features. Twenty (20) stakeholders joined the event and were willing to use the platform immediately and promote it to their colleagues as well. The platform was ranked by all attendees with a rate 4 out of 5 (calculated the average of all rates by stakeholders). The rating scale was: 1-Not useful; 2-Kind of useful; 3-Useful; 4-Very useful; and 5-Excellent.

Bulgarian communication event

The Bulgarian Communication Event organized by the Regional Industrial Association -Smolyan and took place on the 3rd of June 2022 at the Regional Governor’s office in Smolyan.

The Regional Governor of Smolyan Mr. Emil Humchev opened the event with a detailed overview of the transport links between Bulgaria and Greece and he also referred to the new checkpoint Rudozem-Xanthi. Mr. Georgi Tonkov, expert at the Bulgarian Parliament(Parliamentarian Committee of Transport and Communication) described the problems and challenges of the cross-border transport on the Balkans.

The project representative Ivo Tsarev presented the activities and the progress of SCOPE (Platform development and expected outcomes) and answered several questions, asked by the participating journalists, shippers and carriers

SCOPE WP5 Workshop – Sofia, Bulgaria

The hybrid workshop was organized on the 26th of May 2022 by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI – PP4) . The event aimed to introduce the SCOPE platform functionalities, features and services.

The agenda of the event included important presentations related to the features andthe functionalities of the SCOPE platform, the Green Deal and its impact on the transport sector, the global supply chains in the current market and their digitalization. Next, аcomprehensive introduction to the Green Deal, in the context of the transport sector,announced by
prof. dr. Simeon Ananiev together with the vast possibilities that the Balkan-Med region could provide for Albania, Bulgaria and Greece thus transforming to important logistic hubs.

The target audience mainly consisted of transport service providers, transport associations and other representatives of the logistics sector. There were representatives from the Association Green Cluster Transport, The Transport University“Todor Kableshkov”, Global Car Ltd., Bulgarian Association of the Freight Forwarders,Transenergy Ltd., Regional Northeastern Cluster, Act Ltd., Bg-Trans Ltd. And other interested parties. The overall number of participants was
about 50 (both physical and online).

SCOPE Final & Simulator Event – Thessaloniki, Greece

The SCOPE Interreg Balkan-Med project’s final event & simulator event were organized by the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH –PP1) in close cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Department of Civil Engineering (AUTH – PP2) on 20th June 2022. The event took place in hybrid format (live & virtual) and was held in the Aristotle University Research Dissemination Center (KEDEA).

The event focused on presenting the key outcomes & results of the SCOPE project and the developed SCOPE platform was thoroughly presented and the SCOPE video gave out. In addition, a live demonstration of the Eco-Driver simulator took place and a relevant video presented by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) – Transport Engineering Laboratory.

More information about the registration and event details can be found here!

 

SCOPE Newsletter #3

By NEWSLETTER

Editorial

Dear reader,

Being the CCIT’s representative in SCOPE project has been a pleasant experience for me until now. The collaboration between project members and external interested parties has been excellent so far.

SCOPE project’s mission will facilitate and improve the transport sector in Albania, leading to significant economic benefits and better services for carriers and shippers. To see the impact of this project we chose to held our fairs in key points commercial cities that work mostly with Greece and Bulgaria. The interest from stakeholders was impressive and we increased the number of stakeholders willing to join this platform. They also were very enthusiast about it.

Hope to join us in this exciting journey!

Nastjana Dedo
Project Coordinator at Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tirana (CCIT),
SCOPE Steering Comittee member

Latest News

SCOPE project official website has been released….

SCOPE project has updated webpage including all relevant news, events and reports. Exciting information about SCOPE project and freight transport activities are available and continuous updates on SCOPE freight exchange platform and future events coming soon!

On25th of November 2020, Interreg Balkan-med “SCOPE” project organized the 2nd project meeting virtually. The consortium consist of 8 members from Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. Throughout the event, the partners presented the project’s objectives, current achievements and next steps of SCOPE freight exchange platform development presented by APOPSIS SA – external expert company.

SCOPE partners participated actively in the meeting moving forward the Project implementation. In particular, Stefan Kostadinov (BCCI), Dimitrios Nalmpantis (AUTh/TSRG), Pavlina Lazaridou (AUTh/TSRG), Vasiliki Amprasi (AUTh/TSRG), Evangelos Genitsaris (AUTh/TSRG), Nastjana Dedo (CCIT), Majlinda Lila (MIE), Pervin Pasholli (MIE), Ivo Tsarev (RIA Smolyan), Maria Baxevani (PCTh), Pavlos Kazantzidis (PCTh), Iliya Godev (SmCCI) and Giorgos Voulkas (APOPSIS SA).

Lastly thanks to the moderator Dr. Afroditi Anagnostopoulou (CERTH-HIT), hosting the event and shared the presentations and photos for informing the participantst. In addition, Mr. Petros Pallis (APOPSIS SA) presented SCOPE platform (under development). Overall, all the participants brought their expertise and experience, and engaged in the fruitful and constructive discussions.

On 31st of March 2021, Interreg Balkan-med “SCOPE” project organized the 3rd project meeting virtually. The consortium consist of 8 members from Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. Throughout the event, the partners presented the project’s objectives, current achievements and the alpha version of SCOPE freight exchange platform presented by APOPSIS SA – external expert company.

Thanks also to the attendees, Stefan Kostadinov (BCCI), Natalia Dicheva (BCCI), Dimitrios Nalmpantis (AUTh/TSRG), Pavlina Lazaridou (AUTh/TSRG), Vasiliki Amprasi (AUTh/TSRG), Evangelos Genitsaris (AUTh/TSRG), Nastjana Dedo (CCIT), Majlinda Lila (MIE), Pervin Pasholli (MIE), Ivo Tsarev (RIA Smolyan), Pavlos Kazantzidis (PCTh), Iliya Godev (SmCCI) and Petros Pallis (APOPSIS SA).

Lastly thanks to the moderator Dr. Afroditi Anagnostopoulou (CERTH-HIT) for her presentations, photos and for hosting the event. Plus, we would like to thank and Mr. Giorgos Voulkas (APOPSIS SA) for the demonstration of SCOPE freight exchange platform alpha version. We would like to thank all the participants that brought their expertise and experience, and engaged in the fruitful and constructive discussions.

More to come soon!

 

SCOPE Newsletter #2

By NEWSLETTER

Editorial

Dear reader,

In the Balkan area, road freight transport activity appears a high share with more than 60% of national modal split for road transport. Therefore, there is a high necessity for innovative measures and new digital applications in order to assure competitive freight transport markets comparing to the average European level.

The SCOPE project aims to address inefficiencies and improve the performance of the road freight transport system in the Balkan area by providing a transnational, innovative and market-driven Freight Exchange Platform. In the context of the implementation of the SCOPE project, the first step involves (i) the assessment of local and transnational road freight transport conditions, (ii) the identification of needs and requirements of stakeholders and (iii) the indication of the critical issues.

Join us in this journey!

Afroditi Anagnostopoulou
Hellenic Institute of Transport / Centre for Research and Technology Hellas Senior Reseracher, SCOPE project coordinator


Project deliverables

D3.1 “STATE-OF-THE-ART & PRACTICE”

During the implementation of Interreg Balkan-med “SCOPE” project, a new modern freight exchange platform (FEP) will be developed that is expected to greatly facilitate the negotiation process applications – orders and offer a unique feature of cargo/truck search optimization tool according to the users’ needs. The users’ needs have been identified by investigating the current state-of-the-art algorithms provided and examining all the most recent state-of-practice applications developed for freight exchange transportation by key industry stakeholders.

During the deliverable D3.1 “State-of-the-art & practice” , a high-level categorization of the recorded freight exchange platforms (66 in total) has been made. The outcomes could offer indications on the key industry players’ requirements and potential clients’ goals on EU and Balkan level later on. The proposed categories are:

  1. Informative repositories
  2. Freight planning services
  3. Cargo/Truck booking platforms
  4. Auction platforms
  5. Advanced freight services

These offered services will be considered during the development process and will be under discussion in the workshop to be held with selected carriers – supporters of the project activities.


D4.1 “SYSTEM’S HIGH-LEVEL ARCHITECTURE”

The deliverable completes the preliminary work of WP3 aiming at identifying users’ needs and requirements regarding SCOPE platform. Based on the local workshops organized in Albania, Greece and Bulgaria, this deliverable provided feedback from freight industry stakeholders and analyzed current business models in an attempt to facilitate the development of the platform’s high-level architecture.

Several services have been introduced to national freight industry stakeholders for examination, analysis and discussion:

  • User account management
  • Search for cargo (carriers) and for vehicle (shippers)
  • Smart optimization algorithm
  • Offer submission & Transaction process

Local working meetings

In the context of the SCOPE project, three local workings organized in each participated country.

 

  • 1st hybrid (virtual & physical in Sofia, Bulgaria) local workshop organized by P4 – Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and took placeon 2nd of July 2020.
  • 2nd virtual local workshop organized by the PP8 – Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania) and took place on 6th of July 2020.
  • 3rd virtual local workshop organized by the PP2 – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki & PP3 – Professionals’ Chamber of Thessaloniki (Greece) and took place on 8th of July 2020.

More than 60 representatives of industry, research and public authorities participated and fruitful outcomes and recommendations delivered regarding the development of SCOPE platform’s architecture and services.

SCOPE Newsletter #1

By NEWSLETTER

Editorial

Dear reader,

The whole consortium of SCOPE (Shared freight transport services connecting shipper and carrier operations) project is pleased to welcome you to its first newsletter.

An efficient freight transport system is essential for supporting regional economic growth and competitiveness and plays an important role in productivity and the social welfare of the Balkan-Med region, where road freight transport is the predominant mode. Recent political stability and improvements of living standards have reactivated the commercial market between Balkan countries and reinforced trade with Europe. To this end, there is a pressing need to address current inefficiencies and improve the performance of the trucking sector. Challenges regarding productivity, capacity utilization (e.g. 60% of trucks return empty) and environmental sustainability, resource use mismatch and lack of coordination and fragmentation of activities render the need of a valuable tool to provide to its users access to new markets and customers. Heavy administrative procedures hinder seamless freight transport flows, especially between North European and Balkan countries, highlighting the need for adopting solutions that will provide efficient road freight transport services. Freight exchange platforms aim to address the aforementioned needs and requirements offering services of real added-value.

The SCOPE newsletter aims to keep you informed about the project’s progress, news, events and results.

Wishing you an enjoyable reading!

Afroditi Anagnostopoulou
Hellenic Institute of Transport / Centre for Research and Technology Hellas Senior Reseracher, SCOPE project coordinator


Description & Objectives

The Project “Shared freight transport services connecting shipper and carrier operations” with the acronym“SCOPE” is being implemented under the “Transnational Cooperation Programme Interreg Balkan -Mediterranean 2014-2020” and is co-funded by the European Union and National Funds of the participating countries. The Project Partnership includes 8 partners that come from 3 countries(Greece, Albania and Bulgaria).

SCOPE project aims to address existing inefficiencies and improve the performance of the road freight transport system in the Balkan-Med region by providing a transnational, innovative and market-driven freight exchange platform. The SCOPE platform will build upon available knowledge and experience and will carefully consider local and transnational road freight transport conditions, providing value-added services (operating cost estimation, routing applications, cargo monitoring, etc.) meeting its users’ needs and requirements, socio-economic and environmental benefits to its users; facilitating their access to new markets; improving their competitiveness; creating employment and investment opportunities.

The main objectives of SCOPE project include:

  • The development of an innovative web-based platform that will facilitate shared road freight transport services efficiently connecting national and transnational shipper and carrier operations.
  • The enhancement of territorial competitiveness and sustainability, thus contributing towards a more efficient business environment in Balkan-Med region.
  • The early establishment of transnational cooperation between relevant industry stakeholders by creating business friendly conditions for the platform’s start-up and easy access to the market.

SCOPE Kick-off meeting

On 8th of November 2019, Interreg Balkan-med “SCOPE” project launched its work during a successful Kick-off-Meeting. The consortium consist of 8 members from Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. Throughout the event, the partners emphasized on the SCOPE project’s outcomes and agreed upon the future collaboration requirements and expectations. along with the upcoming working goals that should be reached.

Thanks also to the attendees, Stefan Kostadinov (BCCI), Dimitrios Nalmpantis (AUTh/TSRG), Pavlina Lazaridou (AUTh/TSRG), Vasiliki Amprasi (AUTh/TSRG), Evangelos Genitsaris (AUTh/TSRG), Aristotelis Naniopoulos (AUTh/TSRG), Arbi Hoxha (CCIT), Majlinda Lila (MIE), Pervin Pasholli (MIE), Ivo Tsarev (RIA Smolyan), Maria Baxevani (PCTh), Pavlos Kazantzidis (PCTh), Aneta Shehonova (SmCCI), Nedko Pashamov (RIA Smolyan) and Irina Kehayova (RIA Smolyan).

Lastly thanks to Dr. Maria Boile (CERTH-HIT) and the moderator Dr. Afroditi Anagnostopoulou (CERTH-HIT) for their speeches, presentations, photos and for hosting the event. We would like to thank all the participants that brought their expertise and experience, and engaged in the fruitful and constructive discussions.


Latest News

SCOPE publication about digitalizing freight transport services in Balkan area

The publication of a new article entitled “Digitalization in freight transport services: Balkan area”, by A. Akac, A. Anagnostopoulou (CERTH-HIT) and D. Nalmpantis (AUTh/TSRG) was submitted and presented in the 5th Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Virtual CSUM2020.

Read more