International Scientific Conference REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION Pirot, Republic of Serbia TOWARDS DESIGNING AND CREATING A MULTIMODAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (agency) IN THESSALONIKI IN A CHALLENGING ERA FOR THE GREEK FREIGHT TRANSPORT INDUSTRY Aristotelis Naniopoulos, Professor Evangelos Genitsaris, PhD candidate Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / Transport Systems Research Group December 2, 2017
Why the concept of the Intermodal Development Center (IDC) could be helpful? Several obstacles prevent the extensive use of intermodal transport, such as: (1) the lack of a coherent network of modes and interconnections (2) the lack of technical interoperability between and within modes (3) the complexity and diversity of regulations & standards for transport means (4) the poor data-interchange and the lack of information about procedures During the last years, various initiatives have been implemented aiming to promote intermodal transport in a wide sense. Among others, the development of CENTERS ( agencies ) which promote intermodality, near the most significant logistic nodes, could contribute in boosting the market and the economy of the freight transport sector.
What is the concept of the Intermodal Development Center (IDC) about? An Intermodal Development Center (IDC) is a catalyst non-profit organization, which neutrally works on (i) developing intermodal freight solutions along European corridors with a high intermodal potential, (ii) overcoming barriers, (iii) improving communication and creating synergies among actors, and generally (iv) supporting the shift towards more environmentally friendly modes of transport (ECORYS, 2005). The IDC idea is to: bridge the knowledge gap between transport supply and demand help at overcoming barriers by applying intermodal solutions improve communication between stakeholders on (a) the demand side (shippers, forwarders), (b) the supply side (transport operators, infrastructure providers) and (c) the policy side (authorities and regulators).
Existing examples of IDCs Croatia Intermodal Transport Cluster (KIP) was founded in 2005 as a Croatian Shortsea Promotion Centre with a goal of promoting and developing of SSS. The Lithuanian SPC/ LITTP-CCITL: The Lithuanian technology platform of intermodal transport was established in 2007, acting as a platform of stakeholders of intermodal transport and logistics, involving authorities, universities, actors from all transport modes, and aiming for harmonized and effective performance along intermodal transport chain. The Romanian Intermodal Association (RIA): was founded in 2006 upon the initiative of the Romanian Ministry of Transports, together with public authorities and private companies, as a professional, non-governmental and non-profit entity. Intermodal Agency ALOT: was created in 2008 by the provinces of Brescia, Mantua, Bergamo and Cremona and promotes sustainable mobility, territory s accessibility and competitiveness in one of the more industrial North Italy's areas, the East Lombardy.
The idea of the Multimodal Development Centers for the SEE region 1. South East Europe, because of its crucial geographic position in the crossing of the three continents, Europe, Asia & Africa, can (and should) play an important role in freight transport and the promotion of international trade. 2. However, serving demand (trade flows) from Far-East to central Europe and vice versa via the SEE intermodal route must compete other existing alternative routes, e.g.: The route via Suez Canal & Gilbratar The route via North Sea In the frame of ADB project/ SEE programme, the concept of the MDC was developed, aiming at the implementation of centers, specifically dedicated to the promotion of intermodality, based on the model concept of Intermodal Promotion Centres, already applied in other EU countries.
Towards the MDC Hellas at Thessaloniki Given the great number of ports and land freight terminals that exist in Greece, the operation of a national MDC is considered as important. MDC Hellas could be established at Thessaloniki, taking into account its crucial position as a hub of the Pan-European corridors in the Balkan area Strategic location of Thessaloniki in SEE In the frame of ADB project, a detailed business plan for the creation of a Greek Multimodal Development Center (MDC Hellas) at Thessaloniki was prepared.
Towards the MDC Hellas at Thessaloniki Next, in order to establish the platform for cooperation amongst the primary members of the MDC, an MoU was signed among the ADB Greek partners: the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki (Road Freight, Forwarders, etc.) the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Academia actor) the Port Authority of Thessaloniki (Intermodal Terminal) Triple Helix Potential MDC members could be: authorities, freight forwarders, terminal operators, brokers, logistic operators & service providers, universities & research centers, vocational training institutes, chambers, etc. Although the MoU was not applied in practice systematically, the Port s privatization (and the Rail industry s transition), comprise motivating factors that could re-activate the MoU s parties towards the implementation of the MDC business plan.
Intermodal facilitator Intermediary between multimodal actors & Administration Towards the MDC Hellas at Thessaloniki: main functions Forwarders Road Freight Port Rail operators 3PL s Terminals Indicative actors of the Multimodality eco-system MDC A soft initiative, bottom-up approach Acceleration of Infrastructure works Policy formulation Lobbying Multimodality promotion Government Potential Transport Customers crowdsourced, georeferenced info on-line ICT tools (e.g. track and trace; route finder) MDC central information point & contact broker Transport Providers
Potential activities/services provided by the suggested MDC Hellas Vision To become the primary organization, at national level, to assist in the growth of intermodal transport and provide a range of innovative and quality services to its members and the wider intermodal transport actors environment. Activities Both revenue generating services and free or low cost services
Concluding remarks The promotion of multimodal freight transport and logistics is of great importance for Greece and the SEE region in order to enhance the economy and become globally competitive in terms of logistics performance. A key precondition for the required integration of transport systems and supply chains at a local, regional and transnational level is the close cooperation between all key stakeholders. The operation of the designed MDC Hellas at Thessaloniki, as a potential soft and bottom-up initiative, could promote multimodality, facilitating the trade flows along the main freight transport corridors.
Thank you! Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Transport Systems Research Group Tel: +30 2310 995 811 E-mail: naniopou@civil.auth.gr www.tsrg.gr