At MAKO TSL, we always look with attention to the future of logistics. We know that the TSL industry must constantly digitalize to meet the growing market demands and, above all… reduce paper bureaucracy. Light transport with vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes GVW, solo trucks, or heavy 13.6-meter sets travel across Europe, and every order generates tons of documents. Will the e-CMR revolution finally replace paper, and what obstacles stand in its way?
Paper bureaucracy in the digital age
The traditional, paper consignment note (CMR), although it has been the foundation of international road transport for decades, has become a relic in the era of automation. Filling out, printing, archiving, and above all… the risk of errors and delays resulting from the physical circulation of the document – all this generates costs and frustration.
In transport, where every minute and every centimeter of space counts, administrative transformation must go hand in hand with the automation and computerization of logistics processes. This is no longer an option, but a necessity!
Benefits of switching to e-CMR: savings and efficiency
The implementation of the electronic consignment note is a milestone in the pursuit of logistics 4.0. The figures, compiled in the report by the Polish Road Transport Institute: “e-CMR, are you ready?”, speak for themselves, and the potential for savings is gigantic:
- Key benefit is instant delivery confirmation: The moment a signature is placed on a tablet/smartphone, the e-CMR is immediately sent to the TMS system, allowing for the immediate launch of the invoicing process. In practice, this shortens the transport settlement time by 2 to 3 days.
- Reduction of administrative costs: By eliminating printing, scanning, and the physical circulation of documents, transport companies can expect savings in administrative costs reaching up to 60%. This is real money that can be invested in fleet development (as in the case of our vans, solo trucks, and 13.6-meter sets) or training.
- Real-time transparency: The greatest added value is the immediate access to load information for all parties in the supply chain – the sender, the carrier, and the reciever. This increases control, minimizes the risk of errors, and significantly improves transparency in international supply chains. In the event of a roadside inspection, document verification becomes instantaneous.
- Ecology: We must not forget the environmental aspect. Giving up printing means reducing paper consumption, estimated in the EU at 2 to 8 billion sheets annually. This is a real contribution to sustainable development, which aligns with a modern CSR strategy.
Major obstacles on the road to e-CMR: law, technology, and market resistance
Despite the obvious advantages, the path to full digitalization is bumpy, with legal and technological issues being the main obstacles.
- Market resistance and the human factor: The biggest and most difficult challenge to overcome is the reluctance to change on the part of the entire supply chain. Although e-CMR promises radical efficiency, many companies, including key senders and recievers, still require paper documentation because they themselves have not implemented digital systems. Transport companies, unwilling to risk losing lucrative clients, are often forced to accept paper, which creates a vicious circle and slows down the digitalization of the entire industry.
- Lack of full ratification of the e-CMR Protocol: This is the biggest problem. The additional protocol to the CMR Convention on the Electronic Consignment Note has not been ratified by all EU countries – this has not been done in Belgium. This means that in international transport, at the border of a country that has not adopted e-CMR, a traditional, paper version must still be carried. This necessity for double documentation (digital and paper) negates some of the benefits and is a major obstacle for carriers.
- IT implementation and training costs: Switching to e-CMR is not just a change of format, but an investment in modern IT systems. Implementation, integration with existing platforms, and the necessity of training employees (drivers, forwarders, accountants) constitute a significant barrier to entry.
- Interoperability challenges: The digital consignment note must “communicate” with the internal systems of transport companies, such as TMS. Ensuring interoperability and seamless data integration requires advanced technological solutions.
Perspectives: the drive towards unified digital transport operations
Progress in the ratification of the e-CMR Protocol is steady, and pressure from EU regulations (e.g., potential future requirements regarding the electronic circulation of documents in the context of the Mobility Package) will intensify.
E-CMR is an inherent element of the future in which transport will be highly automated. Companies that implement e-CMR today will gain a competitive advantage. They are preparing for the moment when the digital consignment note becomes the legally binding standard across Europe.
At MAKO TSL, we are implementing and testing the best digital solutions because we know that operational efficiency and shorter settlement times are today one of the most important factors for advantage in the TSL market.
