From March 25 to 27, 2025, the eFTI4EU project hosted its second “Testfest”, a key technical milestone held entirely online. This three-day event brought together a dynamic mix of technical experts, pilot leaders, and co-development teams to further test and refine the implementation of electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI), with a strong focus on interoperability between eFTI Gates—an essential building block for seamless cross-border freight transport.
Following the success of the first Testfest in November 2024, which concentrated on Gate-to-Gate interoperability within local network environments, this second edition moved a step forward: it explored real-environment scenarios, though still within controlled testing environments. The goal was to validate the eFTI reference implementation and current technical capabilities.
Structured testing, real results
Designed with developers in mind, the Testfest allowed for focused testing and flexible experimentation. The first two days followed a structured approach, enabling teams to execute specific test cases with precision. The third day took a more exploratory turn, giving developers the freedom to simulate broader use cases and scenarios based on project needs.
Five countries were actively involved in this second Testfest: Finland, France, Austria, Italy, and Estonia. Teams tested a variety of key functionalities such as identifier search, data requests from platforms, and data responses from Gates—essential processes for real-time digital freight data exchange. The participation of Vedia FI, a future eFTI Platform, was another highlight. Their platform connected with the Finnish eFTI Gate and successfully supported end-to-end testing scenarios, where cargo data originating in Finland could be accessed and verified by authorities in France, Austria, and Italy. This confirmed that the system is capable of delivering on its promise: smooth, secure, and standardized digital data exchange across borders.
Beyond successful validations, the Testfest was also a prime opportunity to fine-tune the eFTI reference implementation. Minor but impactful improvements were identified and swiftly integrated, demonstrating the value of iterative co-development and real-time collaboration among national teams.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Testfest was the first successful Gate-to-Gate communication in a real-environment setting—a milestone for the project and for eFTI adoption in Europe. These achievements mark a turning point, showing that the system can move from theory to practice, and paving the way for more advanced tests and broader implementation in the months ahead.
Looking ahead
With solid groundwork now in place, the eFTI4EU partners are well-positioned to continue developing and testing interoperable eFTI solutions. The insights gathered from the Testfest will support further refinement of technical components, increase collaboration among countries, and move the project even closer to its goal: full implementation of Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 through harmonized, efficient, and cross-border digital freight information exchange.
As the project moves forward, the success of this Testfest is a strong signal that real progress is being made—collaboratively, step by step, and with clear direction.
