Standardised terminology for transport events

It is precisely for this reason that the Open Logistics Foundation’s Working Group Track & Trace has developed a common event model. The aim of the approximately 30 companies represented in the Working Group was to create a standardised language for transport events that works independently of companies, countries and the IT systems used. The result is 14 clearly defined transport events that map both typical processes and deviations from the standard process.

The unique approach taken by the companies that developed the model is that it is not the underlying, existing processes that are standardised, but “only” the meaning of the information exchanged. This means that whilst drivers, dispatchers and customers can continue to work with the terms and tools they are familiar with, standardisation takes place in the background.

Rhenus has now gained its first practical experience with the model in a joint pilot project with the technology company Zekju. Zekju, also a member of the Open Logistics Foundation, supports shippers, freight forwarders and drivers with digital transport communication, relying on established messaging services rather than additional driver apps. During the project, it quickly became apparent that differing status terms can also lead to additional coordination efforts in this context. It was therefore decided to use the Open Logistics Foundation’s Tracking Event Model as a common basis.

Learn more about the Tracking Event Model project.

Learn more

Pilot project in direct freight transport

Rhenus launched the pilot project within its direct freight transport service, in which shipments are transported directly from the sender to the recipient without any transhipment. The pilot initially began in Poland and was subsequently extended to the Czech Republic. Rhenus handles the local dispatch, customer communication, shipment tracking, and invoicing. Transport is then carried out either using Rhenus’s own vehicles or via a network of hauliers and subcontractors. As Rhenus, in its role as a logistics service provider, needs to consolidate information from many sources, the issue of status updates is of particular interest to the company.

The technical integration proved to be relatively straightforward. The Tracking Event Model was integrated into the existing system environments, enabling unambiguous assignment of incoming and outgoing status messages to the defined events. Operational processes remained unchanged.

In total, several hundred shipments were modelled using this approach. Experience has shown that clearly defining events simplifies collaboration. When “arrival”, “departure” or “delivery” have the same meaning for all parties involved, there is less room for interpretation. This reduces the need for clarification, and new integrations can be implemented in a more structured manner.

For operational staff, very little changed. Drivers continued to report the same incidents as before. The actual standardisation took place at system level. There, different terms are mapped onto standardised events. It is precisely this invisible nature that is one of the model’s strengths. The standard comes into play where complexity arises, without unnecessarily altering existing processes.

As a result, the Tracking Event model provides Rhenus a sound basis for data exchange with customers or IT service providers, even outside traditional partner organisations. Discussions are currently underway to integrate the standard into the Rhenus Customer API. This is because the model essentially enables faster integration for both parties. The clear definition of the “shipment journey” enables significantly faster data connection. Where in the past, several lengthy meetings were sometimes required to develop a shared understanding of a status with partners and customers, this can now be clarified in a single, brief meeting.

Open standards make collaboration easier

Open standards are often perceived primarily as a technical issue. However, they are first and foremost about collaboration. The more companies that use the same event definitions, the easier it becomes to exchange data and integrate systems throughout the entire transport chain.

The real-world test has shown that a common event model not only works in theory, but can also be used under real operating conditions. Its benefits do not stem from additional functions or new user interfaces. The benefits arise when different systems speak the same language.

The best standards are often those that go largely unnoticed in everyday life. That is precisely where their strength lies. They lay the foundations for all stakeholders in the logistics sector to make collaboration simpler and more scalable.

The post Standardisation works best when nobody notices it appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

Simultaneously, the Open Logistics Foundation welcomed EOSA as our newest Network Partner – a programme that now includes 13 organisations across seven countries.

The strategic partnership was announced during Open Source Innovation Days 2026 by Timo Väliharju (President, APELL) and Carina Tüllmann (CCO & Managing Director, Open Logistics Foundation).

Read our recap of Open Source Innovation Days 2026.

Read now

EOSA, established to recognise and unite individuals and organisations committed to advancing open source software and hardware in Europe, serves as a platform for thought leadership, policy engagement, and community development. Alongside elevating the voices of open source community and fostering knowledge exchange opportunities, the Academy hosts the Annual European Open Source Awards, a celebration of leading experts and contributors to European open source, with nominations opening on 01 September 2026.

Through its Partner Community, organisations contribute to and support Academy’s activities on an ongoing basis, across its four strategic goals:

• Excellence and achievement
• Business and impact
• Advocacy and awareness
• Skills and education

The Partner Community is organised into two groups: Subscribers and Knowledge Partners. The Open Logistics Foundation has joined as a Founding Knowledge Partner. Knowledge Partners are academic, non-profit, public-interest, and civil society organisations that support the Academy’s activities while gaining valuable engagement opportunities with Europe’s leading open source community.

This mutual partnership is built on a common belief that collaboration across foundations, academia, public institutions, and industry is essential to strengthening Europe’s open source ecosystem. It also strengthens our efforts to promote the societal and economic value of open technologies. By working together, we can foster knowledge exchange, support education and skills development, and promote collaborative open source solutions that make industries more resilient and sustainable.

By joining the EOSA Partner Community as a Founding Knowledge Partner and welcoming EOSA as an Open Logistics Foundation Network Partner, we are strengthening our shared commitment to advancing Europe’s open source software and hardware ecosystem.

The post Open Logistics Foundation and EOSA establish new partnership appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

To continue reading this press release, click here.

The post eDeliveryNote project started at Open Logistics Foundation appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

Setting the tone for collaboration 

Open Source Innovation Days 2026 opened with welcoming remarks from Board of Directors member Stefan Hohm and Board of Trustees member Prof. Michael Henke, who reflected on the Foundation’s journey and the importance of collaboration in driving digital transformation across logistics. 

Their commitment, together with the continued support of the Foundation’s strategic members DACHSER, Rhenus Logistics, and Fraunhofer IML, has helped turn a shared vision into a growing open source community that is creating practical solutions for the logistics industry. 

Day 1: Exploring open source in logistics 

The first day focused on three themes currently shaping the future of open source and logistics: digital sovereignty, new inputs, and commercial open source. 

Digital sovereignty 

How can open source strengthen Europe’s digital resilience and technological independence? 

This topic opened the event with keynotes from Sachiko Muto and Jordan Maris, who connected developments across Europe with the growing importance of collaborative open source for innovation and digital sovereignty. 

Building on this foundation, Clare Dillon, Sebastian Wolf, Cornelius Schumacher and Andreas Nettsträter shared practical insights into Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs), including how to get started, identify the right stakeholders, and develop an approach that fits each organisation. 

Their message was both simple and encouraging: 

Start small, but start. Then build your own path. 

New inputs 

As regulation and standardisation increasingly influence digital transformation, the second theme explored how organisations can navigate new legal and technical requirements while continuing to innovate. 

Sessions from Dr. Till Jaeger, Kate Kraemer and Davide Alocci examined topics ranging from the Cyber Resilience Act to practical experiences with ONE Record, providing valuable guidance for organisations preparing for the next stages of digital innovation. 

Commercial open source 

The final theme explored how open source creates sustainable business value. 

Prof. Dirk Riehle, Timo Väliharju and Georg Kunz shared different perspectives on business models, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and the future opportunities for commercial open source in Europe. 

Across all three themes, conversations continued well beyond the stage. The themes were touched on in exchanges between attendees and in the second day workshops. OSID once again proved that some of the most valuable ideas emerge through informal exchanges, particularly in discussions between members facing similar challenges. 

Day 2: Focus on our Working Groups 

While the first day inspired new thinking, the second day focused on putting collaboration into practice. 

The morning began with an update on current European and global legal developments from Dr. David Saive, LL.M. He provided members with practical guidance on the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding digital logistics. 

Participants then joined interactive Working Group sessions dedicated to: 

• Electronic Transport Documents 
• Enabling Logistics Decarbonisation
• Track & Trace

Rather than traditional Working Group meetings, this new format encouraged participants to look beyond their individual projects and discover where topics overlap, where knowledge can be shared, and where new collaborative opportunities are emerging across the Open Logistics Foundation landscape. 

By bringing different voices and perspectives together, members explored how today’s individual projects can connect to better support tomorrow’s digital ecosystem. 

Alongside the Working Group sessions, participants also had the opportunity to join our “Ask the Experts” session, where Christian Lüpges, Sebastian Raible and Maximilian Schütz answered questions on eFTI, European regulations, and press and media, respectively. 

Looking ahead along the member journey 

The Open Source Innovation Days are one important milestone within the Open Logistics Foundation’s annual member journey. 

Throughout the year, members connect quarterly through two virtual member updates and two in-person community events, on top of our regular Working Group meetings. OSID marks the first opportunity each year to meet face-to-face, strengthen existing relationships, welcome new members, and spark ideas that continue long after the event itself. 

The discussions started in Berlin will now continue across our Working Groups and community activities over the coming months, and the community will further develop these ideas in-person at our Ideation Workshop in December. 

Members: Join the Ideation Workshop in Dortmund, Germany on 03 December 2026!

Register now

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, moderators, organisers, and especially to every member who contributed questions and experiences throughout the two days. 

The strength of the Open Logistics Foundation has always been its community. Every discussion, every contribution, and every collaboration helps move our shared vision forward. 

We are already looking forward to bringing the community together again for our Ideation Workshop, where the next generation of collaborative open source projects will begin to take shape.

Until then, the conversations continue. 

The post Open Source Innovation Days 2026 connects open source, open standards, and digital resilience appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

The Open Logistics Foundation is addressing precisely this problem and is launching the eDeliveryNote project within its Working Group Electronic Transport Documents. Markant is leading the project. Markant is a pan-European service provider that supports companies in the retail, industrial and logistics sectors with integrated digital solutions across the entire value chain from financial and payment services, through data and integration platforms, to supply chain and market data services.

Together with other member companies, the aim is to develop an open, consensus-based data model for the digital delivery note, supplemented by standardised application programming interfaces (APIs) and interoperable interfaces. The driving force behind this is not the development of a new product, but cross-sector interoperability. Systems, companies and sectors should be able to communicate with one another, regardless of the solution they currently use.

From the eCMR to the eDelivery Note: a tried-and-tested foundation, a new goal

The project builds on the experience and components already developed by the Working Group Electronic Transport Documents as part of the eCMR project. The Working Group’s aim is to create a digital portfolio. With the digital consignment note, the members of the Open Logistics Foundation have successfully demonstrated that the logistics industry can work together to create interoperable open source standards and bring them into widespread use. The eDelivery Note is the next logical step. Whilst the eCMR addresses cross-border road freight transport, the focus is now shifting to a document that plays an equally central role in domestic transport and exists in widely varying forms across different sectors.

The aim of the Open Logistics Foundation is not to build a new platform, but to provide an open, modular framework comprising relevant open source components that companies can integrate into their existing system landscapes with minimal effort. The focus is on the transformation from a document to a structured data set. The components developed are freely available in the Foundation’s repository and may also be used commercially under the OLF license. “We are not starting from scratch, but building on what we have already achieved together with the eCMR”, explains Reiner Sailer, Lead Service Owner for SupplyChainServices at Markant. “This gives us a robust technical foundation and provides the industry with a head start in the digitalisation of its transport processes”. Alexander Theegarten, project lead, adds: “At the same time, we are bringing experience from existing standards (such as EANCOM) to the project, so that a wide variety of standards does not emerge”.

Open to all competitors

The project has been designed to be broad in scope from the outset: logistics service providers, shippers, consignors and IT providers are all equally welcome to join the Working Group at any time and play an active role in developing the standard. “A motivated group of frontrunner companies has initiated this project”, says Nathalie Böhning, Innovation and Project Manager at the Open Logistics Foundation. “But a standard thrives on the diversity of those who use and further develop it. The more expertise that is contributed, the more robust and practical the solution becomes for everyone”.

Project members (as of July 2026)

Markant (Project Lead), CargoLedger, DSLV, Editel, Fraunhofer IML, GS 1 Germany, iteratec, Rhenus, Shippeo, Sitra, Tesisquare, Trans.eu, ZeKju, Zunarelli Studio Legale

The post Open Logistics Foundation starts open source project for the eDeliveryNote appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

Die Open Logistics Foundation nimmt sich genau diesem Problem an und startet innerhalb ihrer Working Group Electronic Transport Documents das Projekt eLieferschein. Den Projektlead übernimmt Markant. Markant ist ein europaweit tätiger Dienstleistungsanbieter, der Unternehmen aus Handel, Industrie und Logistik mit integrierten digitalen Lösungen entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette unterstützt – von Finanz- und Zahlungsservices über Daten- und Integrationsplattformen bis hin zu Supply-Chain- und Marktdaten-Services. Gemeinsam mit weiteren Mitgliedsunternehmen soll ein offenes, konsensbasiertes Datenmodell für den digitalen Lieferschein entstehen, ergänzt um standardisierte Programmierschnittstellen (APIs) und interoperable Schnittstellen. Der Antrieb dahinter ist nicht die Entwicklung eines neuen Produkts, sondern branchenübergreifende Interoperabilität: Systeme, Unternehmen und Branchen sollen miteinander kommunizieren können, unabhängig davon, welche Lösung sie heute bereits einsetzen.

Vom eCMR zum eLieferschein: bewährte Grundlage, neues Ziel

Das Projekt baut auf den Erfahrungen und Komponenten auf, die die Working Group Electronic Transport Documents bereits im Projekt eCMR entwickelt hat. Ziel der Working Group ist eine digitale Mappe. Mit dem digitalen Frachtbrief haben die Mitglieder der Open Logistics Foundation erfolgreich gezeigt, dass die Logistikbranche gemeinsam interoperable Open-Source-Standards schaffen und in die breite Anwendung bringen kann. Der eLieferschein ist der nächste logische Schritt: Während der eCMR den grenzüberschreitenden Straßengüterverkehr adressiert, rückt nun ein Dokument in den Fokus, das im nationalen Transportgeschehen eine ebenso zentrale Rolle spielt und branchenübergreifend in völlig unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen existiert.

Ziel der Open Logistics Foundation ist nicht der Aufbau einer neuen Plattform, sondern die Bereitstellung eines offenen Baukastens mit relevanten Open-Source-Bausteine, die Unternehmen aufwandsarm in ihre bestehenden Systemlandschaften integrieren können. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Transformation vom Dokument zum strukturierten Datensatz. Die entwickelten Komponenten sind im Repository der Stiftung frei verfügbar und können im Rahmen der OLF-Lizenz auch kommerziell genutzt werden. „Wir fangen nicht bei null an, sondern bauen auf dem auf, was wir mit dem eCMR bereits gemeinsam geschaffen haben“, erklärt Reiner Sailer, Lead Service Owner SupplyChainServices bei Markant. „Das gibt uns eine belastbare technische Grundlage und der Branche einen Vorsprung bei der Digitalisierung ihrer Transportprozesse.“ Alexander Theegarten, Projektleiter, ergänzt: „Gleichzeitig bringen wir Erfahrungen aus bestehenden Standards (Stichwort EANCOM) in das Projekt mit ein, sodass nicht verschiedenste Standards entstehen.“

Offen für alle Mitbewerber

Das Projekt ist von Beginn an auf Breite angelegt: Logistikdienstleister, Verlader, Versender und IT-Anbieter sind gleichermaßen und jederzeit eingeladen, sich der Working Group anzuschließen und aktiv an der Entwicklung des Standards mitzuwirken. „Eine motivierte Gruppe von Frontrunner-Unternehmen hat dieses Projekt angestoßen“, sagt Nathalie Böhning, Innovations- und Projektmanagerin der Open Logistics Foundation. „Aber ein Standard lebt von der Vielfalt derer, die ihn nutzen und weiterentwickeln. Je mehr Know-how einfließt, desto robuster und praxistauglicher wird die Lösung für alle.“

Beteiligte des Projektes (Stand: Juli 2026)

Markant (Project Lead), CargoLedger, DSLV Bundesverband Spedition und Logistik, Editel, Fraunhofer IML, GS 1 Germany, iteratec, Rhenus, Shippeo, Sitra, Tesisquare, Trans.eu, ZeKju, Zunarelli Studio Legale

The post Open Logistics Foundation startet Open-Source-Projekt zum eLieferschein appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

To continue reading this press release, click here.

The post First legal member, Zunarelli joins the Open Logistics Foundation appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

Zunarelli actively supports the digitalisation of the transport sector and has proven expertise in topics such as the electronic consignment note (eCMR) and the electronic bill of lading (eBill of Lading). “We are convinced that law and digitalisation in the transport sector must be considered in tandem”, explains Avv. Luigi Zunarelli, Partner at Zunarelli Studio Legale Associato. “For us, the Open Logistics Foundation is the ideal place to drive this forward, together with other experts”.

Legal standards as a logical addition

Collaboration within the Open Logistics Foundation has shown that shared technical standards can bring about real change – whether in relation to the digital consignment note, track-and-trace processes or emissions data exchange. However, technology alone is not enough. Digital solutions can only be implemented on a broad scale if their legal implications have been clarified and if shared legal recommendations for their use have been developed. This is the approach that Zunarelli will strengthen within the community in future.

The renowned Studio Legale will act as the voice of the Open Logistics Foundation within the Italian legal and transport sector and will address legal issues within the topic clusters. The aim is to build and share knowledge within the legal environment and to jointly develop de facto standards. “Our collaboration in the technical sphere has shown us just how much an engaged community can achieve”, says Carina Tüllmann, CCO of the Open Logistics Foundation. “We now want to bring that same spirit into the legal dimension. Zunarelli is the perfect first partner for this”.

Open for everyone shaping logistics

Zunarelli’s membership exemplifies the Open Logistics Foundation’s self-image: the Foundation does not see itself as a closed circle for logistics companies, but rather as an open platform for all stakeholders whose work intersects with logistics and supply chains. Whether insurers, payment service providers, IT suppliers or legal experts: anyone who is willing and able to contribute to the digitalisation of logistics is welcome – regardless of sector, company size or country of origin. The larger and more international the community, the greater the impact of the solutions developed together.

Further information about Zunarelli Studio Legale Associato is available at https://studiozunarelli.com/

The post Zunarelli becomes the first legal member of the Open Logistics Foundation appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

Zunarelli begleitet aktiv die Digitalisierung des Transportwesens und verfügt über ausgewiesene Expertise in Themen wie dem elektronischen Frachtbrief (eCMR) oder dem elektronischen Konnossement (eBill of Lading). „Wir sind überzeugt, dass Recht und Digitalisierung im Transportwesen zusammen gedacht werden müssen“, erklärt Avv. Luigi Zunarelli, Partner bei Zunarelli Studio Legale Associato. „Die Open Logistics Foundation ist für uns der ideale Ort, um genau das gemeinsam mit anderen Experten voranzutreiben.”

Juristische Standards als logische Ergänzung

Die Zusammenarbeit in der Open Logistics Foundation hat gezeigt, dass gemeinsame technische Standards echte Veränderungen bewirken können – ob beim digitalen Frachtbrief, bei Track-&-Trace-Prozessen oder beim Emissionsdatenaustausch. Doch Technik allein genügt nicht. Digitale Lösungen können nur dann flächendeckend eingesetzt werden, wenn der rechtliche Umgang mit ihnen geklärt und gemeinsame juristische Empfehlungen für ihren Einsatz erarbeitet sind. Das ist der Ansatz, den Zunarelli künftig in der Community verstärken wird.

Das renommierte Studio Legale wird als Stimme der Open Logistics Foundation in der italienischen Rechts- und Transportwelt fungieren und die rechtlichen Fragestellungen in den Themenclustern bearbeiten. Ziel ist es, auch im rechtlichen Umfeld Wissen aufzubauen, zu teilen und gemeinsam De-facto-Standards zu entwickeln. „Die Zusammenarbeit im technischen Bereich hat uns gezeigt, wie viel eine engagierte Community bewegen kann“, sagt Carina Tüllmann, CCO der Open Logistics Foundation. „Diesen Geist wollen wir jetzt auch in die juristische Dimension tragen. Zunarelli ist dafür der perfekte erste Partner.“

Offen für alle, die Logistik gestalten

Die Mitgliedschaft von Zunarelli steht exemplarisch für das Selbstverständnis der Open Logistics Foundation: Die Stiftung versteht sich nicht als geschlossener Kreis für Logistikunternehmen, sondern als offene Plattform für alle Akteure, deren Arbeit mit Logistik und Supply Chain in Berührung kommt. Ob Versicherungen, Zahlungsdienstleister, IT-Anbieter oder Rechtsexperten: Wer einen Beitrag zur Digitalisierung der Logistik leisten kann und will, ist willkommen – unabhängig von Branche, Unternehmensgröße oder Herkunftsland. Je größer und internationaler die Community, desto größer die Wirkungskraft der gemeinsam entwickelten Lösungen.

Weitere Informationen zu Zunarelli Studio Legale Associato unter https://studiozunarelli.com/

The post Zunarelli als erstes juristisches Mitglied der Open Logistics Foundation appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.

To continue reading this press release, click here.

The post Contargo donates containerLib code, available as open source appeared first on Open Logistics Foundation.