Athens, 16 February – The recent GREEN-LOG project workshop held in Athens, organised by project partners ACS and the University of Aegean, brought together stakeholders to discuss and strategize the implementation of sustainable and efficient parcel distribution solutions for the city.
The workshop kicked-off commenced with a warm welcome from the Athen’s leading partner ACS, setting the tone for an engaging and collaborative session. University of the Aegean representatives , expressing gratitude for ACS hosting the event, initiated discussions with a thought-provoking icebreaker on online purchasing challenges, laying the groundwork for the workshop.
Attendees highlighted concerns related to online shopping experiences, including reliability issues, inconvenient delivery locations, absence of late-night deliveries, difficulties in contacting courier companies, and long queues at delivery points. These insights fuelled discussions on refining the GREEN-LOG project to address these pain points.
The workshop started with a presentation of the project’s aims, methodology, and its alignment with European objectives, linking it with the development of low-emission zones in Athens.
The focus then shifted to Athens’ pilot site, rooted in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). There were suggestions to incorporate GREEN-LOG knowledge into planning zero-emission cities for Athens. Further, Kalamata’s interest in establishing a hub system for parcel distribution using electric vehicles was highlighted.
The discussion turned towards the pilot’s logistics, including the use of vans for distribution, mobile depots, and the potential involvement of bicycles. Safety concerns related to cycling and infrastructure challenges were raised, prompting considerations for alternative solutions such as containers and lockers.
Participants engaged in a thorough exploration of various options, with a proposal to use ACS headquarters for the initial phase. Cost-effectiveness, capacity constraints, and the need for a comprehensive analysis were highlighted by the attendees.
The dialogue also touched upon the involvement of courier companies like FEDEX and the challenges associated with obtaining permission for parcel movement to lockers. The possibility of white-labelling for vans emerged as a potential solution.
As the workshop concluded, there was consensus on the need for further discussions, particularly with courier companies, to solidify partnerships and streamline operations. The GREEN-LOG team expressed a commitment to addressing the challenges identified during the workshop, emphasising the importance of collaboration for the success of sustainable parcel distribution solutions in Athens.