Italy and Morocco have never been closer. Thanks to the ERTICO partners efforts through the European Commission supported project FENIX, coordinated by ERTICO – ITS Europe, the ports of La Spezia and Casablanca will benefit from more efficient trade.
The first phase of the pilot project relating to the International Fast & Secure Trade Lane was finalised in mid-October. The project, developed as part of FENIX, concerns in particular the exchange of data between all the actors involved in the logistics corridor and the interoperability of the information systems present in the ports of La Spezia and Casablanca.
‘ERTICO partnership’s works towards increased transport efficiency, reduced environmental impact from transport and increased road safety. In the La Spezia – Casablanca corridor we are implementing solutions in real-life operations, which contribute greatly to the first two targets. By using latest technologies we aim to empower intermodal transports through reduced waiting times at ports and increased efficiency of administrative processes. This ultimately contributes to the European Green Deal targets. ‘ stated Zeljko Jeftic, Deputy Director of Innovation & Deployment team at ERTICO.
The project aims to simplify and integrate information flows thanks also to the use of the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as to gradually harmonise and digitise document flows between the various actors involved, also exploiting innovative tools such as Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence.
Antennas are positioned near the gates to auto detect RFID seals placed on containers and control entrances to ports. Long Range reader working in UHF band can manage two antennas at the same time and offers a wide reading range.
IoT eSeals have been installed by project partners on containers loaded onto trucks. eSeals contain an RFID electronic component with a numbered sequence which allows immediate identification of each container. Communicating with one another, antennas, readers and eSeals allow direct access to the terminal. Photocell at the gate can detect the numbering corresponding to the seal and identify the related manifest. This helps avoid any possible delay caused by inspections. Moreover, local partners are carrying out those activities that are necessary to ensure the early exchange of documents at the port of arrival before the departure of the ship, as well as to exploit advanced digitalisation customs tools.
In particular, a new system has been developed, interconnecting IT platforms used by the ports of La Spezia and Casablanca with those used by other players involved in the International Trade Lane.
