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On 23 March, CLECAT hosted a webinar with the Open Logistics Foundation exploring the growing role of open-source collaboration in advancing digitalisation across the logistics sector. Established as a neutral, non-profit initiative, the OLF brings together logistics companies, technology providers and research partners to jointly develop open-source solutions for common, non-competitive processes. The underlying rationale is clear: many of the sector’s digital challenges, particularly around data exchange and interoperability, require shared approaches rather than fragmented, proprietary systems.

A central focus of the discussion was the digitalisation of transport documentation, notably eCMR. Despite ongoing efforts, transport documents remain largely paper-based, and existing digital solutions are often incompatible across platforms. In this context, OLF presented its work on a federated, open-source infrastructure designed to enable secure and standardised exchange of eCMR data between systems, based on shared data models and common interfaces.

This approach reflects a broader ambition to address structural fragmentation in logistics IT systems. By developing open, reusable building blocks for “commodity” functions, those that do not provide competitive differentiation, companies can reduce duplication of effort, lower development costs and improve interoperability across supply chains. The OLF operates as a facilitator rather than a technology provider as solutions are developed by members within a neutral governance framework. This model aims to support wider adoption, including by small and medium-sized operators, which often face barriers in accessing scalable digital tools.

The exchange with CLECAT members also touched upon the implementation of the eFTI framework and national developments such as Spain’s upcoming Mobility Law, highlighting the increasing regulatory push towards digital data exchange. In this context, open-source solutions may play a role in supporting harmonisation and practical implementation across Member States. The discussion confirmed that while digitalisation in logistics is accelerating, achieving true interoperability remains a key challenge — and one that will require continued collaboration across the sector.