With the problems surrounding COVID-19 and the emerging 1.5-meter social distancing, we recognized that our drivers and loading and unloading partners are most at risk when exchanging consignment notes. Maintaining a 1.5-meter distance during this exchange often proves difficult.

Supply Chain Digitization

In the sectors where we operate, we see that supply chain digitization is high on the agenda. For example, in the flower bulb sector, a project is currently underway to strengthen the sector's digital infrastructure. According to the project group, this will lead to 100% digitization of all delivery notes in 2021. Naturally, we are following developments in the sectors where we operate with great interest and are happy to participate in these kinds of digitization projects. When all delivery notes are sent digitally from A to B, then the time has come to make transport paperless as well. We are already prepared for that.

Van Dooren Driver APP

With the expansion of a new smartphone app for our drivers and charters who drive for us, it will be possible to digitally sign consignment notes without physical contact between the driver and the loading or unloading partner.

The procedure works as follows:

• The client digitally submits shipments via the Van Dooren Customer APP
• The loading partner authorizes the shipments per trip with a "standard" Signature in the Van Dooren Customer APP
• The driver signs for the shipments they are loading with the Van Dooren Driver APP.
• The unloading partner authorizes the shipments per trip with a signature in the Van Dooren Customer APP.

The digital consignment note provides all parties involved with live information regarding the shipment's status, any comments or remarks, and shipment authorization. The APPs are free to use for all customers and loading/unloading partners of Van Dooren Transport and Van Dooren Forwarding and are available for both iOS and Android.

International Transport

For the time being, our international transport is still accompanied by a paper CMR. Unfortunately, many European countries are not yet ready for the digital consignment note, and according to the letter of the law, the transport still needs to be accompanied by a legally recognized freight document. Internationally, this is still the CMR.