CargoON Community Blog digitalisation education eCMR: the future of transport documentation is here
Blog

eCMR: the future of transport documentation is here

Author: Monika Kulej
eCMR – The Future of Logistics and Transportation in Europe - CargoON

The logistics industry is on the brink of a major transformation. By 2026, the European Commission is expected to fully introduce eCMR - the digital consignment note that promises to replace outdated paper processes, streamline operations, and enhance efficiency across supply chains. But what does this mean for businesses today?

Our latest report, Digital solutions in the supply chain: Deep dive into eCMR, explores the impact, key benefits, and challenges ahead. We analyzed the findings and gathered insights from experts – here’s what they had to say.

Efficiency gains that matter

Adopting eCMR is not just about digitalization – it’s about making logistics faster, smarter, and more cost-effective.

  • Time savings: A study for the Danish Ministry of Transport found that eCMR reduces administrative work from 23 minutes per transport document to just 9 minutes.
  • Cost reduction: Companies that tested eCMR reported a 70% decrease in documentation costs and a 59% cut in transport document processing time.
  • Massive labor impact: The IRU estimates that European carriers could save up to 102 million working hours per year, the equivalent of 40,000 to 50,000 full-time employees.
"One of the key challenges currently limiting the adoption of eCMR is the lack of interoperability between the various stakeholders involved in the service. It should be noted that the technology employed by various vendors does not always guarantee communication between different systems. The introduction of eFTI will make interoperability a requirement.”
Raluca Marian
Director of the IRU delegation to the European Union

Seamless integration with logistics systems

One of the biggest advantages of eCMR is its ability to integrate with existing transport management platforms, customs declarations, and tracking systems. “eCMR offers seamless integration with other transportation services, including customs declarations and transport and fleet management. The transition to electronic formats also enhances logistics efficiency and economic competitiveness”– notes Raluca Marian.

This means fewer errors, real-time tracking, and faster settlements, cutting invoice processing times from two months to just two to three weeks.

"To accelerate the implementation of eCMR, it’s crucial to focus on the intangible benefits: operational certainty, stability, and a unified framework that prioritizes both the cargo and the driver. Digitalization will introduce new metrics and indicators, fostering trust and cooperation across all parties. Now is the time to illustrate these benefits with real-world performance."
Jordi Espin Vallbona
Secretary General, TRANSPRIME Spanish Shippers’ Council

Despite its benefits, eCMR adoption has been slower than anticipated. One of the biggest roadblocks? The lack of harmonized regulations across EU member states. “The primary obstacle to the implementation of eCMR in Europe is the absence of EU regulations that establish consistent, aligned standards” – Małgorzata Wieleba-Walicka, Legal Counsel at Transport i Logistyka Polska (TLP).

Data security & transparency concerns

As with any digital transition, companies are concerned about data security, privacy, and potential vulnerabilities. “The removal of paper documentation offers benefits that extend beyond mere financial savings. By streamlining the documentation process, businesses can reduce delivery times and enhance data security. eCMR offers a secure platform through advanced technologies like data encryption, providing unparalleled protection compared to traditional paper documents” – Jarosław Gulowaty, Director of Contract Logistics at Fresh Logistics Polska, Raben Group.

The industry is pushing for interoperability between platforms and robust encryption measures to ensure data security and compliance.

Game – changer for carriers & shippers

For businesses, the shift to eCMR is not just about compliance – it’s a competitive advantage.

  • No more lost documents: Digital records mean instant access and faster problem resolution.
  • Eco-friendly logistics: The European Commission estimates that eCMR could save 160 million sheets of paper annually – a win for both businesses and sustainability goals.
  • Faster payments: Digital consignment notes eliminate paperwork delays, helping carriers get paid weeks faster.

“In the 21st century, a traditional paper consignment note is no longer a valid form of business communication. This document should not travel in the driver’s cab at a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour,” concludes Ramón Valdivia, vice president of ASTIC.

"The removal of paper from the document circulation process offers two key benefits. Firstly, it provides an operational advantage. Secondly, it aligns with the broader sustainability policy objectives. By digitizing the entire process, we can reduce e.g. the amount of storage space required. Furthermore, savings can be made on printer ink, envelopes, and stamps when sending the consignment note to the sender."
Raúl Fernández Machado
Business Development Manager at CargoON

How Trans.eu is helping shippers stay ahead

To help shippers transition seamlessly into eCMR and digital logistics, Trans.eu is rolling out advanced solutions that go beyond simple document digitization.

Shippers using CargoON and the Trans.eu platform will gain access to new functionalities that make logistics operations smoother, including:

  • Automatic eCMR generation – linked directly to transport orders, eliminating manual paperwork. With a single click, they will be able to generate a complete document.
  • Full shipment visibility – eCMR updates automatically feed into CargoON, providing real-time status updates, regardless of whether the shipment
    is monitored via GPS.
  • Integrated digital settlements – once a shipment is delivered, invoicing and settlements happen instantly, reducing cash flow delays.
  • Seamless collaboration – even subcontractors without a Trans.eu account can access documents via secure verification codes.
  • Multi-platform accessibility – whether from desktop or mobile (Android, iOS), shippers can track and manage transport documentation from anywhere.

By automating and centralizing logistics processes, Trans.eu is ensuring that shippers and carriers stay ahead of industry changes while benefiting from a fully digitalized supply chain.
"Our company’s culture is built on a foundation of openness to innovation and new technologies. As a result, we have been engaged in a rigorous testing phase with the eCMR from the Trans.eu Group for several months, exploring the full potential of this cutting-edge tool. The most important benefits we see today include, among others, satisfaction of drivers, because the problems of illegibility of signatures and any deterioration of the paper document have disappeared."
Paweł Sułkowski
Head of the Forwarders Section, Transport Department at ZPUE SA

Final thoughts: the road ahead

The move towards eCMR is inevitable. The question is not if, but when and how smoothly businesses can transition. While regulatory challenges remain, companies that embrace digital transformation early will gain a significant competitive edge.

“It is clear that there are a number of challenges to overcome on the path to full implementation of eCMR. It is essential that both institutions and companies take concrete action to address these challenges andensure a smooth transition to the new system. This is not only about promoting more digital education and overcoming resistance to change among the actors involved, but also about creating the necessary conditions to facilitate the rapid implementation of eCMR at the national level."
Antonello Fontanili
Director at Uniontrasporti Scarl

Are you ready for the future of digital logistics? The time to start preparing for eCMR is now.