Industry Idols: Get to Know Marco Digioia from UETR

In this series, the ESPORG team is interviewing prominent figures within the logistics industry who we feel embody the values of safety, security, connectivity, sustainability and wellbeing and who serve as role models for best practices and innovative ideas within transportation. This month we would like to feature Marco Digioia from the European Road Hauliers Association (UETR).

ESPORG: Tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do. 

Marco: I have been working in Brussels for almost 20 years now, positioning and lobbying in Brussels for European associations. I am currently the Secretary General of UETR ,the European Road Hauliers Association. The association represents more than 200.000 road transport undertakings in Europe (mostly Micro and Small Enterprises) with a total capacity of 430.000 commercial vehicles. Before taking the position of UETR SG, I worked for the global cruise/maritime industry organization and prior to that for a road haulier association at the national level and was also transport expert representing businesses at the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). 

ESPORG: What brought you to road transport?

Marco: The importance of road haulage in everyday life. Our devices, our clothes, whatever we need—this happens because of road haulage, the last mile is the driver, transport company, ringing your bell. I find it extremely exciting–transport is everywhere! In our daily lives, food, medicine, and it is not easy. The tax, social technological, workforce, infrastructure issues. They are challenging to say the least. 

ESPORG: What is your favorite project you or your organisation is currently working on? 

Marco: UETR is currently working on a project to expand a digital transport platform OkCargo in different EU countries. We believe this is the right tool to improve the profitability of transport companies’ businesses, the work-life balance of their drivers and accelerate technological change and green transition in the sector. More specifically, hauliers and contractors will rely on the technologies and tools with the aim of improving and advancing in the digitization of transport operations through artificial intelligence algorithms, reducing and minimizing empty trips, aligning with future sustainability requirements and facing the challenge of the implementation of eCMR.

ESPORG: What does this mean practically? What kind of tools for example can drivers use to improve work-life balance?

Marco: The OkCargo project offers a platform connecting road hauliers and contractors or road transportation companies. When someone has to deliver goods, they put their needs on the platform (who, what, where, what’s their price) and then road hauliers can see prices, tariffs, destination, contractor and then can decide to accept or not accept. 

The platform relies on AI to calculate the most effective trip (regarding sustainability, avoiding traffic, etc.). If the price is fair, then drivers get paid more and we can increase business profitability, with hauliers able to earn the money necessary to cover their expenses and all other company-related costs. The project has already been successful in Spain and there’s a lot of merit to expand to other countries.

ESPORG: What impact do you feel UETR has within the industry?

Marco: UETR represents and supports smaller road haulage companies and self-employed, bringing forward their specificity and needs now more than ever at this challenging time. 

Road transport–micro, small and medium enterprises–are proud of the role they play and the contribution to the real economy they provide. But new and complex challenges arise in energy and ecological transition, competition, workforce, digitalisation, security and we are here to address them.

ESPORG: What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces today? 

Marco: The green transition is one of the overarching challenges for our sector, small companies are making huge efforts to go green but they have to deal with huge issues like energy prices, shortage of drivers and low margins to name a few. They have to be provided with financial and tax incentives and the right tools and operational environment. 

Another challenge is for small businesses operate in a fair road haulage market. To this aim, the successful implementation of the Mobility Package is key, as well as the provision of adequate and secure parking areas to deliver respect and dignity of transport workers, both entrepreneurs and drivers, for attractive and quality jobs and sector. To keep delivering all goods the EU real economy and society need.

ESPORG: What do you like to do in your free time? 

Marco: I like playing tennis, travelling and reading history books. 

ESPORG: What do you like about history? 

Marco: Well, to make the right choices today, you have to know your past. Lessons from history can inform policy making today in order to avoid mistakes. Having said that, you need to know your roots. The world is big, but there are common roots between civilizations. And road haulage goes way back. You know the trade routes between east and west were some of the first great exchanges of information and culture. 

ESPORG: What’s on your bucket list for travel? 

Marco: Next destination will be South Caucasus. I am always eager to discover new people, art.  To me, people matter the most. 

ESPORG: What topic do you think the industry should be focusing more on? 

Marco: Shortage of drivers is one of them.  There are fewer and fewer drivers, and they are getting older. And young people are not coming. We need to take action not only at the EU but also national and even local level. The risks are enormous. We need to act now in a coherent and harmonized way before it is too late. Time is essence.

The provision of adequate parking areas in the EU is one of the key tools to deliver quality jobs, for decent working conditions and make the profession less hard and more attractive.  The implementation of rules and deployment of needed financial tools will be something to focus on in the years to come. 

This issue joins the more general context of actions to ensure a balance between free movement of goods and small hauliers operating in a profitable environment, with fair transportation costs to make them address the green transition and conditions of drivers successfully. 

In addition, we have the revised TEN T regulation, which has very clear obligations. I want to see those obligations met. Having legislation in place is one thing, but implanting it is another thing. 

To read more about UETR and the wonderful work Marco is doing, please visit their website: https://uetr.eu.