The TalkNET project was created to promote sustainable transport. Although its name consists of the initials of the English Transport And Logistics Stakeholders Network, the acronym nevertheless suggests the essence of dialogue, which is essential for effective cooperation between transport actors. The initiative, which has a total of 15 project members, focuses on the development of coordination between market players in order to facilitate the integration between ports/land terminals and carriers and to strengthen efficient and sustainable multimodal logistics hubs. During the duration of the project, the efficiency and connections of multimodal nodes, as well as eco-innovative solutions, will be scrutinized. The project aims to improve the competitiveness of freight transport, supporting investments in the efficiency of terminal management, new intermodal services, last-mile connections, the use of alternative fuels and energy-efficient solutions. The approach is innovative, it focuses on the optimization of existing infrastructures, does not plan new ones, and implements the development of common solutions in close cooperation with the actors of freight transport.
The duration of the project is 36 months from June 2017.
Three professional work packages
During the three years of the project, the project members will carry out the tasks on an annual basis, an elected project member is responsible for the coordinated and efficient implementation of each work package.
The first task is to analyze terminals and ports and develop proposals for their development. Within the project group, the employees of the Italian Consorzio ZAILOG are responsible for the execution of the task. Main focal points during the execution of the task:
- 1. connections to the main transport networks, in particular the TEN-T core network and comprehensive network,
- the operational and logistics management system of the terminal,
- through a special, regional-level SWOT analysis, the partners evaluate both their internal and external processes in order to determine needs, challenges, and improve their procedures. Based on the common methodology defined at the project level, the analyzes cover 3 topics:
- the last mile connections of multimodal nodes, focusing on the efficiency of the multimodal node, the resolution of bottlenecks that limit the operational capacity of the node (infrastructure),
- efficiency and optimization of multimodal terminals (management),
- assessment of multimodal services (services).
The second work package is the Polish forwarding and logistics company Codognotto Poland.
Logistics hubs and ports are often characterized by the use of old technologies that do not comply with standards and lead to bad environmental effects, among other things. The lack of modernization is due to the high capital requirement and the long payback period. In recent years, only a few investments and concrete results have been made. The development of the second work package provides an opportunity for logistics hubs and key actors to perfect their "green" plan. Its aim is to better estimate and evaluate the investments required for the use of alternative fuels (electric, LNG/CNG, hybrid) and to better define plans aimed at reducing energy consumption and presenting innovations. Based on the common methodology defined at the project level, a SWOT analysis is first prepared concerning the 3 topics related to eco-innovation solutions:
- use of alternative fuels,
- energy-efficient solutions during transport between nodes,
- analysis of training needs and definition of the training process.
In the first two work packages, the BSZL prepares inspections for the port, the purpose of which is to apply new solutions in port logistics and in the supply chain of urban areas.
The third module is coordinated by Hungary, led by Budapesti Szabadkíkötő Zrt. Based on the proposals developed according to the research of the first two work packages, the so-called multi-purpose related to logistics. pilot projects are implemented in the work package, in the case of BSZL, concentrating on the storage/use of LNG in the port.
Project co-funded by the European Union
The project is realized from the INTERREG CENTRAL Transnational Program, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, co-financed by the European Union and the Hungarian State.