ECG — 2026-11-06
News from ECG
The ECG Quality Working Group held its third meeting on 4 November 2026, with ECG members, partners and vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) discussing some of the most pressing quality and safety challenges facing the finished vehicle logistics sector. From the maritime transport of electric vehicles to digital handover processes and rail loading standards, the discussions highlighted the importance of industry-wide collaboration in developing practical solutions.
The meeting also marked a new chapter for the Working Group with the announcement of its new Co-Chairs: Gaëlle Fleurigeon (Renault) and Guido Olbrechts (ICO Terminals). Their appointment will support the group’s continued efforts to strengthen quality standards and promote best practices across the finished vehicle logistics sector.
Advancing global standards for the safe maritime transport of electric vehicles
The safe maritime transport of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) once again featured prominently on the agenda, reflecting the industry’s ongoing efforts to address evolving regulatory requirements and operational challenges.
George Charalampidis (World Shipping Council – WSC) provided an update on the newly introduced Special Provision 980 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, which introduces requirements concerning the assessment of vehicles’ safety conditions before they are offered for maritime transport. While the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established the overarching regulatory framework, practical implementation details, including assessment procedures, checklists and operational requirements, have been left for the industry to develop. To address this gap, WSC and ECG are coordinating a global industry project bringing together shipping companies, OEMs and other stakeholders to establish common approaches to vehicle assessment and acceptance for maritime transport.
The initiative has already been launched, with numerous ECG members and OEMs participating. Its initial phase will focus on establishing harmonised definitions for new, used, damaged and waste vehicles, providing a common foundation for the subsequent work of dedicated Ro-Ro and container shipping sub-groups. The project also involves international organisations, including the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and representatives of the insurance sector.
The meeting also explored progress on a separate but complementary initiative led by BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council) to develop a standard contractual clause governing the maritime carriage of electric vehicles.
Lucas Alexander Low Pedersen and Natalie Wong provided an update on the clause, which was developed jointly by shipowners, charterers, technology experts, OEMs and P&I clubs. The clause, originally expected earlier, is now scheduled for publication in January 2027. It aims to establish a practical contractual framework for EV carriage under charter parties and logistics services contracts, particularly for Ro-Ro vessels and Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs). A key aspect concerns the transport of used electric vehicles. Under the proposed wording, charterers would be required to ensure that reasonably practicable checks have been performed and that vehicles are suitable for carriage by sea. Shipowners would also be able to request a declaration detailing these checks.
However, the clause does not prescribe specific inspection procedures or the content of such declarations. This creates a potential link with the global project coordinated by WSC and ECG, whose work on vehicle assessment requirements could provide a practical basis for implementing the contractual provisions.
Research into the safe maritime transport of alternative fuel vehicles was another important focus of the meeting. Anna Karlsson, Project Manager at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, presented the latest developments in the STARRS project (Safe Transport of AFVs on Ro-Ro Ships), which aims to develop evidence-based recommendations for industry guidance and contribute to the evolution of relevant IMO instruments. The project has completed its initial review of the regulatory, scientific and technical landscape. Current activities include testing high-expansion foam systems, investigating early fire detection methods and comparing the effectiveness of water-based firefighting approaches.
A broader consultation with maritime stakeholders is planned for 2027, offering further opportunities for industry input. ECG will inform Quality Working Group members about the consultation and how they can contribute. In parallel, RISE will organise a dedicated workshop on 8 December 2026 to explore the potential of Battery Management System (BMS) data for the early detection of battery failures and associated risks. The workshop will examine both the opportunities and limitations of using vehicle battery data across different manufacturers and models. OEM representatives with expertise in BMS functionality, vehicle data access and transport operations, as well as maritime vehicle terminal operators, are encouraged to express their interest in participating.
Digitalising vehicle handovers: moving beyond paper-based processes
Beyond maritime safety, the Working Group examined opportunities to modernise one of the sector’s longstanding operational processes: vehicle handover documentation. Julio Garriga (C.A.R. Consulting) highlighted the growing disconnect between the digitalisation of transport documentation and the continued reliance on paper-based vehicle condition reports. While the traditional CMR consignment note is increasingly being replaced by its electronic equivalent, eCMR, many OEM-required handover documents remain paper-based. This creates parallel manual and digital workflows, increasing administrative complexity and the potential for errors.
Vehicle condition reports remain essential, as CMR documentation alone does not capture the full condition of a vehicle at handover. However, handwritten records can suffer from missing signatures, illegible comments or data entry errors, potentially weakening their evidentiary value in damage claims. The continued reliance on paper documentation by some claims handlers can also introduce delays and undermine broader digitalisation efforts. To address these challenges, the Working Group will establish a dedicated sub-group to explore opportunities for greater digitalisation and harmonisation of vehicle handover processes. The objective is to identify practical solutions that could simplify documentation, improve data quality and support more efficient claims handling across the logistics chain.
Rail loading guidelines move closer to industry validation
Quality and safety improvements in rail transport were also on the agenda. George Tsourakis (Toyota Motor Europe) provided an update on the development of a new rail loading guideline designed to address both health and safety risks and quality challenges associated with transporting finished vehicles by rail. Drafting is currently progressing within a core industry group, with a broader review involving additional stakeholders expected towards the end of 2026. Practical validation in an operational environment is planned for early 2027, ahead of the guideline’s targeted publication in April 2027. The initiative represents another step towards greater harmonisation of operational practices and quality standards across the European finished vehicle logistics sector.
EU packaging rules bring new challenges for vehicle logistics
The meeting also addressed the implications of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for the automotive supply chain. Gaëlle Fleurigeon (Renault) outlined the preparations undertaken by the vehicle manufacturer to meet the Regulation’s requirements, which aim to reduce packaging waste, limit certain single-use packaging, promote reuse and improve recyclability. Although the Regulation primarily places compliance obligations on manufacturers, its implications extend across the Finished Vehicle Logistics chain. Various protective materials used during vehicle transport and handling, including driver’s seat covers, door protection, wrap guards and full body covers may be affected. Terminals and Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) centres will also need to consider applicable waste sorting and recycling requirements, which can vary between countries. The discussion highlighted the importance of coordination between OEMs and logistics service providers to ensure that new regulatory requirements can be implemented effectively throughout the supply chain.
A platform for addressing emerging operational challenges
Alongside the main agenda items, participants raised several additional operational concerns, illustrating the broad range of quality and safety issues addressed by the Working Group. These included the inspection of EV underbodies, the unexpected activation of automatic braking systems during vehicle loading and oil leaks from car carrier trucks at terminals. Together, these discussions reinforced the role of the ECG Quality Working Group as a collaborative platform where OEMs, LSPs and industry experts can identify common challenges, exchange experience and work towards practical, harmonised solutions.
Next meeting
The next ECG Quality Working Group meeting is planned for March–April 2027, with the exact date and venue to be confirmed. ECG members and partners interested in contributing to the group’s activities or participating in its dedicated projects are encouraged to contact Szilvi Kiss.