On February 11 and March 11, 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) hosted two hybrid eFTI workshops in Berlin, bringing together companies and future eFTI service providers with expertise in digitalisation, to discuss key aspects of electronic freight transport information.
The first workshop on February 11 laid the groundwork by introducing the eFTI platform architecture and its benefits for economic operators and authorities. In this occasion, Birgit Faßbender (BMDV) provided an overview of the system (click here to read the full presentation), while Christian Lüpges (Albrecht Consult) presented different eFTI platform models and their effects on communication processes, using realistic use cases to illustrate potential impacts (click here to read the full presentation).
On the other hand, the second workshop on March 11 focused deeper into the draft Implementing Act for eFTI platforms. Participants examined the key provisions and their implications for future eFTI systems (click here to read the full presentation). Lawyer Anno Siep then presented the legal requirements for identification, authorization, and authentication, focusing on the obligations of eFTI platform operators and business users.
Both workshops sparked lively discussions on digital signatures, interoperability, and the role of AI in logistics. One of the key takeaways was that companies need more concrete use cases to better understand eFTI. Additionally, participants emphasized that regulations should not impose specific technologies or business models. The topic of signatures sparked debate, particularly regarding their role in a future where autonomous trucks and AI handle logistics tasks. Another crucial challenge identified was the lack of digital equipment among truck drivers, which needs to be addressed before 2027.
Building on the success of these workshops, a third session is scheduled for April 2025, which will be focused on use cases, digital signatures, and the Implementing Act.
