Virtual Testing under eCIM/SMGS consignment note was discussed at the 15th International Capacity-Building Seminar on Trade and Transport Facilitation took place in hybrid format on 11-12 June 2024 in Aktau, Kazakhstan

The representatives from transport ministries, customs, railway operators, maritime shipping operators, and other stakeholders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan participated at this event. Number of participants from international organizations and experts from the UN ECE, UN/CEFACT, FIATA, GIZ, IPCSA, USAID and the PS IGC TRACECA also joined and supported the Seminar. Around 90 participants have joined the Seminar (around 60 in-person and 30 online).

Joint OSJD, CIT, UIC, UN ECE, PS IGC TRACECA pilot project on use of e-CIM/SMGS consignment note in railway transport along selected TRACECA routes was presented by the representative of the PS IGC TRACECA. Consultant supported by the UN ECE and UN/CEFACT experts elaborated process for creation of digital prototype of eCIM/SMGS consignment note that was used for testing. It was noted that successful virtual testing activities have been conducted in the period of 3-7 June 2024. Representatives of participating railway operators from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Türkiye presented their experience in virtual pilot project testing and identified the needs for further improvements.

The specific recommendations to consider for pilot testing of the digitalization of information exchange include: continuation of support for the e-CIM/SMGS consignment note pilot project on next phases of the project (e.g. parallel testing, development of Application Programing Interfaces (API) to automate exchange of eCIM-SMGS consignment via existing IT Systems of railway operators, development of convertor to bridge solutions based on the UN/EDIFACT standards and other solutions based on the UN/CEFACT Reference Data Model for Multimodal Transport (where needed).

Additional expansion on e-CIM/SMGS consignment note pilot project could include connectivity with other modes of transport (e.g. electronic exchange of transport documents/data between railway operators and maritime shipping companies; railway operators and ports).

Resolving issues on authentication of eCIM/SMGS consignment note for use in fully paperless environment require development of international legal framework among interested SPECA (and other neighboring) on mutual recognition of electronic signatures.  It is suggested to continue the work on digitalization in coordination and synergies between interested countries and development partners.