The 9th annual International Physical Internet Conference – IPIC2023, co-organised by I-SENSE Group of the ICCS – the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems and ALICE – the European Technology Platform ALICE successfully took place in Athens. In 3 days, more than 250 participants followed a rich program of sessions addressing the Physical Internet and its applications or technologies supporting its implementations but also the major challenges and all the difficult questions that surround the Physical Internet implementation.
IPIC2023 came at a time that major global events are accelerating the efforts of the global Physical Internet Community towards efficient and green logistics. All this intense activity has been reflected in a really strong and tight programme which spanned across 5 streams, included 7 sessions, 4 plenaries, special sessions and poster sessions, more than 50 presentations and 3 technical visits. and brought more than 150 top-notch speakers from industry, international institutions, the research community, policy makers, standardisation committees, key actors in the transport, supply chain and logistics community who contributed to an open discussion on the challenges, opportunities and the future of the freight transport and logistics sectors.
The scope, complexity and impact of the issues discussed during these three days reflect a very vibrant and active community that remains in constant dialogue.
“What came across strongly during this IPIC, is the increased level of maturity that the Physical Internet community has achieved over the past years. It has been evident how the Physical Internet can redefine urban logistics, mobility services and logistics operations, the future of vehicles and warehouses, and can suit our needs for reducing the environmental footprint of the sectors, improve efficiency and resilience. The realisation of the Physical Internet is by definition a transnational task and it involves a large spectrum of stakeholders” notes Dr Angelos Amditis, IPIC2023 chair and R&D director of ICCS/NTUA during the IPIC2023 opening in Athens.
IPIC2023 has also provided valuable networking opportunities, knowledge sharing and contributions to the ongoing discussions about the future of the Physical Internet and a rich program of social events and technical visits. The conference was accompanied by an exhibition of R&D projects and companies, and posters with innovative products, applications, services and research results. In addition, In the Start-ups and Ventures elevator pitch session we watched a number of companies building their business case based on the concepts of the Physical Internet. The IPIC award ceremony also took place in the frame of the conference.
IPIC2023 offered a range of technical visits. In these visits, professionals from the hosting institutions and companies walked the visitors through the premises of central distribution centers, warehouses, storage areas (e.g IKEA, P&G, Port of Pireaus) and other designated areas discussing in situ some of the benefits, problems, applications and solutions related to the Physical Internet Implementations.
On the 12th June, the day before IPIC 2023 opening, the 5th edition of the IPIC Doctoral Colloquium took place. It provided an excellent opportunity for PhD students to receive in-depth feedback on their research from fellow PhD students and leading academics in the field of Physical Internet.
IPIC2023 was supported by the bronze sponsor, the Hellenic Institute of Transport, of the Center for Research & Technology and also by the following Partners and Projects: the Hellenic Institute for Logistics Management (ILME) and the European projects that take part in the exhibition: Dispatch. JIDEP. URBANE. PILL and 5G Loginov.
The next IPIC conference is planned to take place next June in Savannah.
The draft proceedings are available here.
Presentations, papers and posters are available here.
Visit IPIC2023 Photo Gallery
