Gruber Logistics Conducts First Paperless Transport in Italy

In mid-October 2025, Gruber Logistics, in collaboration with the Circle Group, successfully conducted a paperless freight transport within Italy. The pilot project, embedded in the two EU-funded initiatives eFTI4EU and KEYSTONE, represented a novelty in the country and thus a significant milestone in the digitization of European logistics.

(Auer/La Spezia/Bologna) Through the transport of a freight container from the Ligurian port of La Spezia to the Interporto Bologna, a central logistics hub in the capital of Emilia-Romagna, Gruber Logistics successfully validated several test aspects. These include the automatic transmission of ETA data (Estimated Time of Arrival) from Gruber Logistics’ TMS system to the KEYSTONE platform, the creation and sharing of the electronic consignment note (e-CMR), and an exclusively electronic data exchange between the logistics company, public platforms, and regulatory authorities.

Marco Manfredini, Chief Operating Officer of Gruber Logistics, emphasizes: “This test is a very important step towards the complete digitization of freight transport, a true milestone on this path. By combining compatible platforms and electronic documents, we demonstrated that the use of paper is avoidable, transparency improved, and controls simplified.” The pilot project confirmed the seamless interoperability between the KEYSTONE web application and the eFTI platform, the eFTI Gate Italy node, and the Port Community System (PCS) in La Spezia. This ensured the automatic flow of data to reduce manual entries and repetitive process steps, allowing regulatory authorities to conduct faster and easier digital checks of approvals and processes.

Significant Success for Digital Logistics in Europe

“As coordinators of the KEYSTONE project, we proudly look at the results already achieved. Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties involved, including industry and many institutions, the results are now tangible. The pilot clearly shows how research and innovation can lead to the emergence of a smarter, more sustainable, and dialog-friendly European logistics system,” states Prof. Mauro Dell’Amico, KEYSTONE project coordinator and affiliated with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The successfully completed freight transport was part of the validation activities of the two EU-funded initiatives eFTI4EU and KEYSTONE. They aim to create a European network of interoperable platforms for data exchange between logistics and transport companies as well as authorities.

Luca Abatello, CEO of the Circle Group, which collaborated with Gruber Logistics on this project, adds in this context: “We are proud that this pilot project, which also utilizes our MILOS and eFTI platforms, harmonizes technological innovation, international collaboration, and a sustainability focus, thus aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal, the eFTI regulation, and the principles of our industry plan ‘Connect 4 Agile Growth’.”

Improvement and Consolidation of Processes

All participants will work on improving and consolidating processes based on the insights gained. In this regard, Prof. Mauro Dell’Amico explains: “The success of the test continuously leads to the ultimate implementation of digital freight transport. It demonstrates that through the cooperation of partners, who rely on projects like KEYSTONE and eFTI4EU, visions of a seamless and paperless flow of goods can truly become reality.”

Photo: © Gruber Logistics