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City Logistics Expo

After the success of the first edition of City Logistics Expo (233 exhibitors between direct and those represented) the go ahead has been given to the second edition to be held from 27 to 29 November 2008, once again at Padua Fair (Hall 5). The event is promoted by Padua Interport and PadovaFiere. The 2008 edition, in line with the gratifying evaluations expressed by the exhibitors through the customer satisfaction questionnaire, will follow the model of the Exhibition tested in 2007. In other words, even the 2008 edition will specialize in city logistics, have a broad international perspective and an intense calendar of conventions and seminars.

Once again the protagonists will be IT solution companies, of fundamental organizational support to transport. Along with these will be research bodies and their sponsors: from the public authorities in charge of regulations and policies, to the logistics platforms and to the transport operators (couriers, logistics operators, transporters, shipping agents). And even: electrical, hybrid and overall ecologically-sound means of transport; new engines and ecological fuels.

Confirmation of the strong points, but even important novelties.
Attention to environmental logistics is one of these. City centres are the areas most in need of protective measures. But it is nonetheless the territory as a whole – especially in the industrialized north, heavily urbanized and congested as it is – in need of intelligent and efficacious logistic proposals and solutions. One fact highlights the problem: 50% of goods are transported less than 50 kilometers, almost never in a full load. The rationalization of this segment of logistics is therefore decisive both in terms of business competitiveness, by lowering transport costs, and environmental protection on both the regional and global level, by reducing traffic and pollution.

Yet another novelty is the increased integration between logistics and mobility. It is for this reason that the "urban issue" must be confronted as a whole. The fair has broadened its scope to include aspects related to street furniture, car parks, road signs, planning, management and control of traffic, and public transport.

But the other great novelty for 2008 is that City Logistics Expo will be partnered with Intermodality – the sustainable logistics exhibition.

In perfect continuity with City Logistics Expo, "Intermodality" examines from the same perspectives of efficiency and environmental sustainability the theme of long distance transport. Protagonist of the event are the four means of transport: road, rail, sea and air.

Intermodality, therefore, as the strategy for sustainable transport, but even as an element of rationalization that can put Italy at the centre of large traffic flows. In fact, an increasingly integrated Europe, an irreversible globalization process, the boom in Eastern economies, and the consequent renewed centrality of the Mediterranean all pose a new challenge to logistics: to represent the ompetitive differential of the production areas while respecting the environment.

On display will therefore be: sea transport (sea highways, shipping companies, ports) and air transport (cargo, airports); combined transport (Freight Villages – Terminal Companies); railway operators; public and private logistic structures and infrastructures; international ports.

Finally, freight villages, both those close to production areas and to cities, are reorganizing – in terms of sustainability and the environment – some of their own tasks, discovering new potentials. Devoting space, resources and expertise to city logistics is one of such innovations and contributions.
Imagining the vast surfaces destined to transport integrated with the production of renewable energy (i.e. photovoltaic) is just one of the possible destinations.

With City Logistics Expo and Intermodality, the Paduan event of November 2008 is preparing to be a point of reference on the novelties for the functional and environmentally-sustainable reorganization of transport, a service to the market, the functioning of the Italian system, and the environment.



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