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ELOG-EU-RUS Freight transport between the EU and Russia: development needs in logistics information

Logistisen informaation kehitystarpeet Venajan ja Euroopan unionin jasenvaltioiden valisessa tavaraliikenteessa (ELOG-EU-RUS

This study set out to identify the main bottlenecks and development needs in logistics information exchange between the EU and Russia. For this purpose interviews were conducted with 39 import and export companies and logistics service providers in Finland, the Netherlands and Russia. In addition, a workshop was organised for the Finnish companies interviewed, and information meetings were held in Helsinki and Moscow. On the basis of the results both short-term development needs are identified and recommendations issued for the improvement of logistics information management in EU-Russian trade. The following changes in the business environment were thought to have the greatest impact on EU-Russian trade and logistics information exchange: the Russian economy's growth prospects, the opening up and internationalisation of the Russian markets, the improved logistics standards and higher demands in Russia, the development of legislation and other formal norms, and the increased efficiency in the use of logistics information systems. Although it was felt that the situation had improved somewhat in recent years, the main problems raised by the companies interviewed had to do with issues other than those directly related to logistics information: time consuming customs procedures and border crossings, complex regulations and their arbitrary interpretation, corruption and crime, etc. Since it is thought that the Russian party is probably better placed to resolve and overcome any difficulties that may occur on the Russian side of the border, it is they who will usually assume responsibility for logistics. This goes some way towards explaining why problems in international logistics were identified first and foremost by Russian companies. Major problems with respect to logistics information exchange included the lack of transparency in the delivery chains, errors in the contents of logistics information and the lack of responsibility for these errors, the large number of documents required by different authorities, and the lack of communication between different authorities and their systems. Various systems have been developed for the exchange of logistics information in trade between Finland and Russia (RailTrace, CustCom, Sustoms Green Line etc.), but these have not been put to the best possible use. The companies interviewed stressed that better and more reliable exchange of information would contribute to more efficient logistics. The following development needs were identified on the basis of the results: 1) Improving awareness, for instance by means of business networking, information about relevant projects and the establishment of international logistics databanks; 2) Increasing knowledge by means of surveys on the business environment and case studies on certain delivery chains (e.g. a survey on business and logistics systems, practices and information management needs in the EU and Russia, benchmarking the efficiency of delivery chains, a study on the transport of small consignments and return cargoes between the EU and Russia as well as the development of an information databank; 3) Extended application of existing electronic information and data exchange solutions (e.g. for tracing and tracking international road transport deliveries, developing an information service for border crossing and customs procedures, extension of the Customs Green Line service); and 4) Support for investments in electronic systems and data exchange. This report is available at http://www.mintc.fi or http://www.tedim.com/

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  • Corporate Authors:

    LT-konsultit Oy, Oy EDI Management Finland Ltd, VTT Technical Research Cen

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  • Authors:
    • SALANNE, I
  • Publication Date: 2004

Language

  • Finnish

Media Info

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01015209
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: TRL
  • ISBN: 951-723-903-3
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jan 12 2006 8:51AM