Information and cooperation discussion: BMWi presents 4PL NPM

4PL Intermodal informs itself on 20.12.2018 at the Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWi) about the goals and approaches of the NPM (National Platform for Mobility).

The special interest here is in the possibility of integration for intermodal freight transport.

“IT platforms are the basis of data-driven, service-oriented business models. They make it possible for companies from different industries to work together flexibly and largely automatically in digital ecosystems. The harmonisation of IT platforms is of central importance for industrial production”.

Acatech – German Academy of Science and Engineering, 2017

The overarching objectives of the NPM are cross-modal and interlinking solutions for largely greenhouse gas neutral and environmentally friendly transport systems.

A further goal is to ensure a competitive automotive industry and to promote Germany as an employment location.

The overall aim is to enable efficient, high-quality, flexible, safe and affordable mobility. These objectives apply to both passenger and freight transport. To this end, 6 working groups (AG) were set up in autumn 2018.

At present the responsibilities of the ministries are coordinated in the individual AGs.

A detailed description of the project can be found here.

The intermodal traffic volume in Germany has increased enormously in the last 10 years. Carriers are still trying to meet the demands of their customers in the current traffic situation.

In the course of the discussions, it has become clear that an improvement of the intermodal infrastructures should go hand in hand. Even an optimised platform communication of all parties involved in the transport will not be able to handle today’s intermodal traffic volume smoothly. Additional capacities and improved infrastructures are needed.