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Summary
Finland is an export-dependent country, and efficiency in the logistics sector is particularly important for Finnish companies. In Finland, logistics costs are high due to long transport distances and the variability of weather conditions. There is also the need for a diverse fleet and the ability to keep access routes open during the winter. In addition to cost management, logistics must also be able to react more quickly to changes in the environment, as the crises of recent years such as the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown.
The logistics sector is in a period of transition. While some players are using digitalisation to make transport more efficient, a large number are still operating in the old way. Digitalisation improves the transparency of transport chains by providing different actors in the transport chain with real-time information on the location of freight and information on possible delays. This will allow companies to better respond to crisis situations and improve their efficiency, for example, thereby increasing the competitiveness of both logistics companies and freight receivers.
Paper waybills are still widely used in Finland. However, they are prone to error and their use reduces efficiency. The introduction of digital waybills would be a concrete way to improve the efficiency of transport and the monitoring of its environmental impact. This memorandum examines the benefits and challenges of digitising waybills. Additionally, it examines the forthcoming EU legislation that will accelerate the digital shift in transport in the coming years.
Digital waybills allow real-time and accurate tracking of shipments, which facilitates production planning for manufacturing companies. Although there are no known detailed studies in Finland on the financial savings of digital waybills, comparisons can be made with studies in similar countries. For example, a study in Belgium (2019) estimated that one digital waybill saved a logistics company €13 compared to its paper counterpart. In addition to the potential savings, digital waybills support public authorities by allowing them to better monitor the compliance of transport operations. Tracking transport is made easier when the data is in digital form, making it more accessible to the authorities.
The challenge of digitalisation in the logistics sector is the fragmentation of the sector with its multiple actors and standards for different modes of transport. The technology to use digital waybills already exists. However, it needs further development to be compliant with standards and be compatible with the systems of the different actors in the transport chain. Small logistics companies in particular face challenges in adapting to the digital environment. It is important for the sector to help small businesses in their transition by providing concrete support measures such as training and knowledge sharing.
