On 25 March 2026, the city of Trieste will host the joint event “Digitalising the Road Last Mile for Ports and Multimodal Freight Terminals – Data Sharing and Interoperability for Efficient Freight Flows.” The initiative is organised by the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea in collaboration with the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Interporto di Trieste, under the patronage of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
The event will gather representatives from ports, multimodal freight terminals, road infrastructure operators, public administrations, and policymakers to discuss a central issue for the Adriatic–Ionian macro-region: enhancing the performance, dependability, and environmental sustainability of road freight movements at key logistics hubs linked to the TEN-T network.
Throughout the region, ports and multimodal freight terminals serve as crucial interfaces between maritime transport corridors and inland distribution systems. Nevertheless, rising traffic volumes, congestion at terminal access points, and fragmented data exchange continue to hinder operational efficiency and regional connectivity. These issues are particularly significant in a macroregional setting marked by cross-border transport flows, varied governance systems, and the necessity to strengthen links between coastal gateways and inland, rural, and peripheral territories.
The conference will present case studies and practical solutions developed through complementary initiatives such as ACCESSMILE (Interreg Central Europe), MERIDIAN (CEF), MILEPORT and PRESPORT (Interreg Italy–Croatia), and ELODIE (Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan). By bringing together these projects, the event underlines the added value of combining different European and national funding mechanisms, demonstrating how coordinated actions can accelerate the digital transformation of freight transport networks.
From a macroregional standpoint, the event provides an opportunity for knowledge sharing, policy discussion, and collaboration among EUSAIR stakeholders. It supports Pillar 2, “Connecting the Region,” and is consistent with the EUSAIR flagship initiative “Green and Smart Port Hubs,” by encouraging interoperable digital tools, improved data exchange, and coordinated governance models that enhance the role of ports and multimodal freight terminals as sustainable and smart logistics gateways across the Adriatic–Ionian region.
The event will take place in a hybrid format, enabling participation both onsite and online. Italian and English will be the working languages, with simultaneous interpretation available.
Additional details regarding the programme and registration procedures will be announced shortly.
