Successful Second Pilot Project testing of the use of the eCIM/SMGS Consignment Note
Participating railway operators from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Ukraine have successfully conducted second virtual testing of the of the electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note (eCIM/SMGS CN) in endeavor to digitalize their processes and streamline international railway transport.
Upon coordinative and preparatory activities in September 2024, the Second virtual testing of the eCIM/SMGS CN digital prototype was conducted from September 30 to October 4, 2024, which was a follow up activity after the initial virtual testing of eCIM/SMGS CN done in June 2024.
The second virtual testing involved consecutive exchange of eCIM/SMGS electronic consignment note messages from between the five participating railway operators in East-West and West-East directions. This phase demonstrated the capability to establish automation of exchange of the digital prototype via API between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Key findings from the testing highlighted the potential for significant improvements in data exchange and processing, with recommendations to continue the integration of national railway IT systems of participating railway operators and work on draft legal arrangement that can regulate implementing details on regular use of eCIM/SMGS CN.
The project partners will continue with endeavors for integration in following months, as well as testing of the digital eCIM/SMGS prototype and expand the pilot project activities, with further testing phases and planned for 2025. The ultimate goal is to achieve full implementation of electronic consignment notes, with seamless automated exchange on corridor level among integrated railway IT systems, fostering greater efficiency and interoperability in international railway and multimodal transport.
For reference:
- The pilot project on the use of the electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note along selected TRACECA routes is jointly supported by the Organization for Co-operation between Railways (OSJD), International Rail Transport Committee (CIT), International Union of Railways (UIC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the PS IGC TRACECA.
- The Memorandum of Understanding for use of electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note along selected TRACECA routes, signed on May 22, 2023, between the participating railway operators represents a legal basis for a pilot project that is expected to run in until June 2025. One of the key elements of the pilot project was development of a digital prototype of eCIM/SMGS CN aligned with global UN/CEFACT standards and the Multimodal Transport Reference Data Model (MMT RDM), that ensures compatibility, and it could facilitate seamless integration of railways with other modes of transport in future.
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Permanent Secretaritat of the IGC TRACECA