Shift2Zero at the workshop on Standards for the Physical Internet organised by ALICE
Shift2Zero participated in the international workshop “Towards Standards for the Physical Internet: Building the Foundations for Global Interoperability”, co-organised by ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) and the POLIS Network. The event was supported Shift2Zero and the Horizon Europe projects URBANE, IKIGAI, and DISCO and took place on October 22nd in Brussels.
The workshop brought together logistics experts, policymakers, representatives from standardisation bodies, and industry stakeholders from Europe and Asia to discuss how global standards can be developed to enable the Physical Internet (PI) and to explore the role of standardisation in the future of logistics.
As a Horizon Europe project focused on accelerating the transition toward net-zero-emission logistics and transport systems, Shift2Zero contributed actively to the workshop discussions. Representatives from the project presented ongoing research and innovation activities that support sustainable and interoperable logistics ecosystems.
Together with partners from IKIGAI, URBANE, and DISCO, Shift2Zero showcased approaches related to modular logistics assets, collaborative governance models, and zero-emission logistics design. Examples included developments in smart containers, urban logistics hubs, and AI-based matchmaking platforms that enhance logistics flow optimisation and resource efficiency.
A dedicated session focused on urban and last-mile logistics, a critical area for achieving more sustainable mobility in cities. Presentations addressed the specific challenges of dense urban environments and examined solutions such as unmanned delivery systems, parcel locker networks, and integrated last-mile service models. These innovations contribute to reducing congestion and emissions while improving delivery reliability and customer experience.
ALICE, the European Technology Platform for logistics and one of the Shift2Zero partners, plays a key role in driving the Physical Internet concept and the development of related standards. Through its collaboration with ALICE, Shift2Zero aligns its efforts with the wider European vision of a connected, interoperable, and low-emission logistics network.
