Intra-European trade was often hindered by fragmented logistics chains, challenging the EU’s ambition of establishing a barrier-free European maritime transport space. A key solution lay in simplifying and harmonising regulatory requirements while accelerating the development of EU and National Single Windows. These aimed to streamline traffic and cargo reporting processes, particularly in the context of co-modal transport. Safety and security issues also required dedicated attention, especially through improved collaboration between authorities and transport stakeholders. This collaboration was vital for enhancing proactive and remedial capabilities to safeguard both the environment and the security of freight transport networks across Europe.

e-Freight introduced the concept of Information Highways for Co-modality, digital infrastructures that assisted transport operators in creating integrated, end-to-end transport processes. These solutions ensured regulatory compliance and enabled intelligent monitoring and control across all transport modes. While coordination in traditional networks relied on centralised structures and communication, achieving co-modality in an open environment required transport service providers to publish their offerings online in formats accessible to independent, web-based transport management systems. The project supported this transition by promoting stakeholder engagement, encouraging the use of open networking principles, and applying web service standards, underpinned by a common, interoperable registry of e-Freight services.