eCMR Roaming and Consolidated Consignment Notes for Multimodal Road–Sea TransportDIGILOGISTIKA KESKUS (DLK)

Overview

This pilot targets three concepts that the eFTI framework leaves open in multimodal transport, and tries to settle them under real operating conditions on the Estonia–Sweden ferry corridor. A semitrailer is loaded in Estonia, driven to the Port of Paldiski, shipped to Kapellskär and delivered by road to the final consignee. Transport data is created in a transport management system, passed to an eCMR platform, and a consolidated electronic consignment note is generated automatically for groupage and less-than-truckload shipments.

The first concept is that consolidated eCMR: can a single electronic consignment note covering several consignments serve as the basis for ferry booking and automated vessel manifest generation — replacing largely manual processes — while remaining fully compliant with eFTI? The second is the interpretation of “consignment movement” when several carriers and modes are involved, and what that implies for datasets, Unique electronic Identification Links (UILs) and enforcement. The third is an eFTI Hub supporting eCMR roaming: a “one platform, one integration” model in which a platform publishes once and reaches ferry booking systems, terminal operators, customs and other platforms without bilateral links.

Lead beneficiary

Digilogistika Keskus (DLK), Estonia — eFTI Gate and eFTI Hub provider

Countries involved

Estonia, Sweden

Transport modes

Road and maritime (short sea shipping)

Main stakeholders

Digilogistika Keskus · Ybil.io · Pionira · 51Biz.lu · RISE · Trafikverket and Swedish Customs and Police · Estonian road transport enforcement · ferry operator on the Paldiski–Kapellskär route.

eFTI components

eFTI Gate · eFTI Platform · AAP · Registry of identifiers · CA application

Timeline

Planning 06.2026–12.2026
Development 01.2027–08.2027
Piloting 02.2027–02.2028
Results 03.2028–04.2028

Status
(summer 2026)

Concept validation completed; planning phase under way
  • Validate the use of consolidated electronic consignment notes (eCMRs) in multimodal road–sea transport — legally, operationally and technically — including their application to ferry bookings and vessel manifest generation.
  • Assess implementation of the eFTI “consignment movement” concept in chains involving multiple carriers and transport modes, and its implications for datasets, Unique electronic Identification Links (UILs) and regulatory compliance.
  • Design, implement and validate an eFTI Hub supporting eCMR roaming, enabling interoperable and secure exchange between eFTI platforms and third-party systems through a scalable “one platform, one integration” model.
  • Demonstrate seamless digital information exchange across the multimodal chain, integrating eCMR platforms with ferry operators, terminal operators, customs systems and competent authorities.
  • Provide recommendations for the future implementation of eFTI in multimodal transport, identifying the legal, governance and technical improvements required for large-scale European deployment.

UC1

Multimodal road–sea operation between Estonia and Sweden: road leg from the place of loading to the Port of Paldiski, ferry to Kapellskär, road delivery to the final consignee.

UC2

Automatic generation of a consolidated eCMR for groupage and less-than-truckload shipments from data created in a transport management system.

UC3

Use of the consolidated eCMR as the basis for ferry booking and automated vessel manifest generation, replacing largely manual processes.

UC4

Competent authority access to transport information through the eFTI architecture, including the feasibility of linking vessel manifests to the underlying eCMRs using UILs — and whether access to consignment notes alone is sufficient for regulatory controls.

UC5

Implementation of an eFTI Hub supporting eCMR roaming, providing secure interoperability with ferry booking systems, terminal operators and customs through a single standardised integration.

By mid-2026 the pilot had validated the feasibility of consolidated electronic consignment notes in multimodal road–sea transport, and demonstrated their use for automated ferry bookings, vessel manifest generation and regulatory compliance within the eFTI framework. The eFTI Hub and the eCMR roaming concept were validated as interoperable, showing that secure exchange between eFTI platforms and third-party systems can run through a single integration model. The eCMR data model was validated with new data elements including digital signature and e-seal.

The pilot also clarified how the eFTI “consignment movement” concept should be read in multimodal transport, and what that means for Unique electronic Identification Links, transport documents and competent authority access. On that basis it has produced recommendations on interoperability, governance and legal implementation, and shown where administrative burden can be reduced for operators while supporting harmonised cross-border enforcement across the European Union.