New EU-funded project to improve capacity of EU freight transport

Identifying and implementing freight transport collaboration opportunities in Europe is the aim of new research started last month by a pan-European team of researchers from 18 institutions including Cranfield School of Management. The project, titled CO3 (Collaboration Concepts for Co-modality) has received EU funding under the Coordination and Support Action Thematic area of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Dr Silvia Rossi, Senior Research Fellow at Cranfield School of Management and spokesperson of the CO3 project said: “Currently one in four freight vehicles are running empty and the rest are filled to only 57% of their weight capacity. There is huge potential for the European freight market to be more competitive and sustainable if more logistics operators shared the costs and benefits of collaborative transport.”

Running from September 2011 to 2014, the CO3 project will draw upon the expertise of a broad group of EU partners including universities, private companies and innovative SMEs. A high level industry board comprising of large multinational manufacturers and logistics service providers operating in the EU, will ensure the project is focused on developing content relevant to industry needs.

A member of the CO3 industry board, Frank Arendt, Associate Director Logistics Purchases at Procter & Gamble said: “Consumer product prices are rising due to increasing fuel and transport costs. Instead of trying to pass this increasing cost to consumers, manufacturing companies should try to collaborate and be more responsible to make their logistics processes more efficient.”

Businesses in the European freight market can find out more about the CO3 project by attending a free CO3 conference on 1 November 2011 in The Hague, the Netherlands. The aim of the conference is to share the benefits and opportunities of the CO3 project and discuss ideas with logistics service providers, shippers and other transportation businesses. For further information about the CO3 project and to find out how you could participate in the CO3 conference, please contact Dr Silvia Rossi: e-mail silvia.rossi@cranfield.ac.uk.

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Notes to editors

Cranfield School of Management is one of Europe’s leading university management schools renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy.   www.som.cranfield.ac.uk

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emily Reed, Media Relations Office, Cranfield School of Management on:  T: +44 (0) 1234 754348 or  E:  emily.reed@cranfield.ac.uk