BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The prototype of the unified universal electronic consignment note CIM/SMGS for the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) has been finalized and the first virtual pilot exchange of electronic consignment notes between railway carriers along this route took place in June, secretary general of the Permanent Secretariat of the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission (PS IGC) of TRACECA Aset Asavbaev said, Trend reports.
He made the remark at the International Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD) forum held in Warsaw.
"I believe that through joint efforts, we will bring the countries participating in the international TRACECA program closer to digital transportation shortly. This work will make a significant contribution to reducing the time of cargo transportation and border crossing, as it eliminates the need to fill out consignment notes when changing international railway systems, where the SMGS Agreement and the COTIF Convention are in force," Asavbayev said.
To note, a working group meeting on the CIM/SMGS electronic consignment note pilot project will be held online in Baku in September 2024 to resolve outstanding issues as soon as possible.
CIM is a railway consignment note of international communication (CIM) under the International Freight Convention.
SMGS - Agreement on International Cargo Traffic.
COTIF - Convention on International Transportation by Rail.
According to modern requirements, the CIM/SMGS is acquiring an electronic (digital) format with the abandonment of paper documentation.
TRACECA believes that the digitalization of this route will also increase the containerization of this international corridor, which is important for its efficiency and growth.
The TRACECA program, initiated by the EU, has been operating for more than 30 years and unites 14 countries in Europe, the South Caucasus, and Asia.
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