"We need more logistic conscience to increase the load factor of trucks. The Italian transport sector does indeed have efficiency problems, but costs will never drop if we do no replace the wood and air transported with goods," explained Andrea Mantelli from Conad at the coscienza logistica per aumentare il coefficiente di riempimento dei "Logistica e Trasporto: le criticità attuali, le esigenze del mercato e i cambiamenti in atto" (Logistics and Transport: current problems, market needs and ongoing changes) round table organized by Italtrans.
But the real news when it comes to logistics is the electrification of a highway stretch.
Claudia Terzi, councilor for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility at Regione Lombardia, discussed the new e-highway project, according to which a 6 km stretch of the electrified A35 BreBeMI highway (Calcio to Romano di Lombardia) will be tested by the end of the year. This way, compatible vehicles - trucks in particular - will be able to travel 'hooked' to the electricity network, just like trams do.
Fabrizio Dallari, director of the Logistics Research Center at LIUC Università Cattaneo mentioned the data emerged from the latest Conto Nazionale del Trasporto according to which, in Italy, 50% of goods travel via road.
According to Federdistribuzione, 74% of consumer goods pass through the modern distribution channel, generating a transport volume of over 3 million packages a year (corresponding to 60 million pallets). In such a complex network, it is difficult to be efficient logistics-wise and it is therefore essential to collaborate along the chain.
A moment during the round table
"In five years' time, the logistics sector will be very different. New employees will have to be trained and current operators will need refresher courses," added Luca Piervittori from Ferrero.
"Over the next few years, we will have to invest less in traditional warehouses and more in skills. We also need to think about a project that involves the various companies to help the transport sector." stated Mantelli.
Riccardo Stabellini from Barilla highlighted the lack of well-structured operators that can guarantee an excellent service on a national scale, especially when it comes to a sector where goods are also delivered at weekends, a lot of stores are located in restricted traffic areas and flows are highly seasonal during the months and weeks.
"People now expect the smallest parcels to be delivered at home, without thinking that all this generates traffic jams, especially in cities, and pollution."