Global supply network coordination and collaboration

Coordination and collaboration refer respectively to vertical and horizontal synergies along and across different supply-chains to increase logistics and supply chain efficiency reducing waste.

Supply Network Collaboration deals with maximising resources utilization, such as vehicle and infrastructure capacity, by matching demand from multiple shippers with available transport and logistics services from different modes and service providers (see ALICE Roadmap Towards Zero Emission Logistics Transport modes are smartly used and combined and fleets and assets are shared and used to the max).

Both coordination and collaboration can produce significant gains in terms of efficiency and sustainability and represent a big step towards the Physical Internet, leading the transition from individually managed supply chains to open supply networks enabling structural collaboration.

Within this thematic group we build and share knowledge and practical guidance and use cases to reduce emissions and increase efficiency of supply chains following the specific strategies and targets and in the different scopes included in the figure below:

Currently the group is busy with these activities:

Applied Collaboration streams increase-use-of-rail   ALICE-express

Related news

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Logistics is a fundamental pillar of European competitiveness, enabling the movement of goods, supporting industrial productivity, connecting markets and ensuring societal well-being. As Europe navigates the green and digital transitions, logistics is becoming an increasingly strategic asset for achieving economic Read more
Achieving Europe’s ambitions for greener, more resilient freight transport requires a significant shift from road to rail. Yet challenges such as fragmented data, capacity constraints, regulatory complexity and investment risks continue to slow progress. The session “The multimodal leap: ALICE Read more

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Understanding how intermodal transport is planned, implemented, and experienced in practice is essential for strengthening resilience and efficiency in European logistics networks. This webinar is centrally focused on the Intermodal Transport Survey, presenting its objectives, structure, and initial reflections, and Read more
The Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE) announces to its members the General Assembly to be held on 2nd February 2026 from 14:00 to 17.00. AGENDA The General Assembly is an event exclusively for ALICE Members. Information Read more
  The transport, logistics and supply chain landscape is undergoing profound and continuous change. From geopolitical disruptions to shifting socio-economic trends, businesses across Europe are facing a new level of complexity and uncertainty.  In response to these pressing challenges, the Read more

Related documents

In the ever-evolving world of logistics and transport, the quest for sustainable and efficient solutions is becoming increasingly critical. ALICE, with the support of TRANSPOREON, prepared a White paper “Increasing the Use of Rail and Intermodal Transport in Europe: Integration of rail Read more
ALICE aims to facilitate value and impact creation out of research implementation through practical freight and logistics innovations addressing societal challenges. From a common effort of ALICE Supply Network Coordination and Collaboration Thematic Group & ALICE secretariat a position paper Read more
Download the Roadmap In response to the Paris Agreement, more and more governments, associations, and businesses are setting bold climate targets. As set out in the European Green Deal, the ambition for Europe is to be the first climate-neutral continent Read more

Related LinkedIn posts:

 

TG4 Knowledge Platform (ALICE members only)  TG4 past events, news and documents

Key milestones

  • 2020 – Horizontal Collaboration
  • 2030 – Integration Manufacturing Logistics

Physical Internet pilot implementations well functioning and extended in industry practice

  • 2040 – Open Supply networks
  • 2050 – Zero Logistics Emissions

Chairs

Chair: Michael Archer, CHEP

Vice-chairs:

Alice Programme coordinator:

  • Fernando Liesa

Video Roadmap