The digitization of transport documents is continuing to advance across Europe. More and more freight forwarders and shippers are relying on the electronic consignment note eCMR to accelerate processes and reduce paper-based overhead. As Transfollow, a provider of digital solutions for transport documents, notes, to date 38 countries have ratified or acceded to the UN eCMR Protocol. This enables companies to digitally create, sign and forward consignment notes, without them losing value compared with paper documents.
Advantages for companies
The electronic consignment note offers several advantages for companies. Digital creation reduces paper consumption and contributes to an improved carbon footprint. At the same time, eCMR enables real-time traceability and immediate access to transport documents. Invoices can be produced faster, which is particularly important for companies with complex supply chains. Hans Lip, Chief Operating Officer at Transfollow, notes that both consignors and
freight forwarders are increasingly seeking eCMR solutions:
“Since 2023, we have observed a clear increase in interest, particularly among shippers who are increasingly taking the lead in the digitization of documents.”
Introduction to the European markets
Several countries are already steering toward the mandatory use of eCMR, including Spain, where the digital consignment note will be mandatory from 2026. In established markets such as France and the Netherlands, digital consignment notes are already widespread. In other European countries, attention to eCMR is growing, supported by transport associations that advocate for digitization of the supply chain. Moreover, the eFTI Regulation, which from mid-2027 requires transport data to be digitally accessible to authorities, accelerates the digital transformation in Europe. According to Transfollow, this will lay the groundwork for stronger digitization of the entire supply chain in Europe.
Removing obstacles
Nevertheless, many companies still
hesitate to start digital projects because they fear costs, lack of resources, or the transition of processes and the acceptance of digital documents. Technical problems such as insufficient network coverage or the lack of suitable devices and tools presented further hurdles. Thanks to the comprehensive network coverage in Europe and the removal of roaming charges, these problems are now almost completely solved. Moreover, the problem of providing each driver with their own device can be easily solved thanks to Transfollow Drive. The application can be easily installed and used on any smartphone.
Technical integration and interoperability
However, the introduction of eCMR can only succeed if an interoperable environment is created that connects all actors in the supply chain regardless of the systems used. According to Transfollow, transport and document data can be integrated directly from TMS, ERP or WMS systems or
alternatively retrieved via the Transfollow portal. Drivers can manage eCMR documents either via their FMS, the Transfollow-Drive app or messaging applications. According to Hans Lip, the options for drivers are even broader:
“At TransFollow we have gone one step further and developed TransFollow Messenger, a tool that lets drivers use their preferred messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram to manage their transport orders, sign eCMR documents in real time, and share them.”
Significance for transport companies
For managers in freight transport companies, the trend toward eCMR means that the digitization of documents will become a competitive factor in the future. Companies that implement digital processes early benefit from more efficient operations, better traceability, and greater operational flexibility. According to Transfollow, more and more partners and subcontractors recognize the benefits and join, thereby accelerating the spread of the electronic consignment
