Tag Archive for: port virtual lab

The Simulator Is Only the Beginning: Inside the CHIRON Network

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Port Virtual Lab — CHIRON

A simulator can put students inside a real cargo insurance claim. What happens after that click is what turns it into a lesson — and that’s what a network of Port Virtual Lab teachers is now comparing notes on.

Written by: Mar Monzó, CHIRON Network of PVL

Each month, the Escola’s Port Virtual Team runs a webinar for the community of teachers using Port Virtual Lab (PVL) in their own classrooms — a loose, informal network known as CHIRON. This month’s session, led by Mar Monzo, took on one PVL scenario in particular: TT Circle. While preparing it, Mar found her attention shifting — less toward how the tool works, more toward what a teacher can actually build around it once the simulation ends. What follows is a first look at where that thinking led.

The simulator is only the beginning

TT Circle takes students through almost the entire cargo insurance process: analysing the risk of an operation, requesting a quotation, seeing how a decision changes the premium, activating the policy and, when something goes wrong, documenting the damage and submitting a claim. For the teachers running it, the interesting part starts exactly there. The goal was never for students to use the simulator correctly or complete each stage in the right order — the simulation just gives them a situation close to professional reality. What a teacher builds around that experience is what turns it into learning.

What is TT Circle?

TT Circle is a cargo insurance scenario inside Port Virtual Lab. It doesn’t run in isolation — it’s one situation among the operations a class may already be working on, so a teacher can connect insurance, transport, Incoterms, documentation and incident management inside a single professional case rather than teaching each one separately.

While preparing the activity, the team kept returning to the same sequence of questions: why did you choose that level of cover, what would happen if the route changed, is the higher premium worth paying, which decision would you make again and which one would you change now that you’ve seen the result. Written up on their own, those five steps became what the network is now calling the CHIRON loop — a sequence that works with any PVL scenario, not only with insurance.

The CHIRON loop

Five steps for turning a Port Virtual Lab simulation into learning. Works with any PVL scenario; the sequence stays fixed, only the questions change.

1. Analyse — students read the operation before touching the platform: cargo, route, parties, value, known risks. No decisions yet; the teacher’s job is to set the problem and withhold the tool.

2. Decide — students commit to a decision in writing, with their reasoning in a line or two. It’s the step most often skipped, and the one that makes the rest of the loop work.

3. Simulate — they run the decision through the scenario and observe the consequence: premium, cover, claim outcome, cost of the incident. The teacher stays out of it — answering here removes the last two steps entirely.

4. Justify — students explain the decision to other groups: on what basis it was taken, what information was missing at the time.

5. Reflect — they say which decision they’d take again, which one changed once they saw the result, and what they’d need to know before deciding in a real operation. It’s the step the timetable eats first, so protecting the time for it matters most.

Different classrooms, different answers

There’s no single correct way to run it. Within the network, one teacher uses TT Circle as a case study, another as a team challenge between groups, another folds it into a longer PVL operation already underway. A comparative variant has also emerged: assign the same operation to every group, but vary one parameter each — route, cargo value, Incoterm, level of cover. The groups don’t converge on one answer; they map how the decision changes as the conditions change, which tends to produce a better discussion than everyone arriving at the same result.

The loop has its failure points too, and the network has been direct about naming them. If the decision in step two isn’t recorded, the reflection in step five turns into an opinion with nothing to test it against. If the teacher answers during step three, steps four and five disappear on their own. And the loop doesn’t survive being compressed into the last ten minutes of a session — it needs one PVL scenario, groups of three to five, and time reserved for justifying and reflecting before the class ends.

The simulator gives us the professional context. We build the learning around it.

Constantly learning

That’s really the shape CHIRON keeps taking — less a fixed method than an ongoing exchange between people teaching the same platform differently. Anyone using Port Virtual Lab is welcome to add to it: what you ran, what worked, what you’d change next time, sent to [email protected]. A short template keeps contributions easy to compare (scenario used, group, timing, the problem set, the decision asked of students, what was compared, what was adapted and why, materials attached), though a short paragraph is often just as useful as a full lesson plan. Contributions go back out to the network in the next set of notes, with the contributor’s name and institution unless they’d rather not.

CHIRON is the network of educators teaching with Port Virtual Lab, run by Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport.

An open door

CHIRON doesn’t really have a front desk — teachers tend to find their way in simply by using Port Virtual Lab and following the conversation from there. For anyone who’d like a more structured way in, the Escola happens to be running an online Training of Trainers course this October.

Upcoming: PVL Training of Trainers

261005PVL — Training of Trainers | Online | English

Dates: 5–8 October 2026

Schedule: 15:30–19:30 CEST (Spain)

Calendar and information

Programme

Registration

A 100% registration discount is available for educators — get in touch to check your eligibility.

Escola Europea Offices in Barcelona - 2026

Sailing Ahead: Twenty Years In, Still Setting Course

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Sailing Ahead — 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago, the Escola began as a way to convince road hauliers to trust a ship — and the only argument that ever worked was putting them on deck. This October, that same instinct takes us back to sea, retracing the ports that founded us.

By Eduard Rodés, Director, Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport

Written by: Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea

Twenty years ago the Escola began as a conversation between people who trusted one another: the Ports of Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Genoa, together with Grimaldi Lines and Grandi Navi Veloci. It is worth being honest about what we were trying to do. The first courses were not conceived as education at all; they were a way of promoting a service. We were convinced that short sea shipping worked, and the people we most needed to convince were road hauliers — operators whose entire working life was built around not using a ship.

You cannot argue somebody out of that with a presentation. What you can do is take them to the quay, put them on board and let them watch the operation happen around them.

That turned out to be a better idea than the one we had. Almost immediately, what we had designed for professionals already in the sector was reinterpreted for everyone arriving in it, and for those who simply wanted to bring their knowledge up to date. The commercial argument had become a method. In those first years we spent a great deal of time explaining why a classroom should sometimes be a ship. We no longer have to explain it. More than 25,000 participants have done that for us.

This October we mark the anniversary the way we began it: on the water. We will board ships in Barcelona and sail, in person, to Civitavecchia, Palermo and Genoa — the very ports that founded us. So when we say we are Sailing Ahead, it is not a metaphor. It is the itinerary.

Eduard Rodés speaking on board a ferry during an early Escola course

Did you know?

Palermo joined the founding group shortly after the Escola was established in 2006, completing the circle of ports that we will sail back to this October.

What people actually remember

If you ask anyone who has taken one of our courses what they remember, they seldom begin with the content. They begin with a person. Some of our trainers come from universities and some spend the rest of the week in a terminal, a shipping line or a customs office, and I have never been able to predict which of them a group will remember. We mix our groups as far as we are able — nationalities, companies, sometimes direct competitors — and people who arrive as strangers leave having shared a classroom, a quayside and a dinner table. We put a great deal of care into designing modules. What participants carry home is one another.

That is why we have always been willing to put people somewhere they did not expect: a theatre exercise, a piece of music, a simulation running inside a platform that exists nowhere else. The formats are not the point. They are what it takes to get a room full of professionals to stop performing their job titles for long enough to meet each other. It is the same discovery we made in the first year, applied to new material.

What the pandemic forced us to learn

None of it was really tested until it had to be. In our second decade the pandemic removed almost everything our model depended on: immersion, direct contact with ports and vessels, the experiential learning that had defined us from the beginning. For a while we had to hold on to our structure without being able to practise our essence. It forced a reinvention we had not planned, and with the European Union’s support through the YEP MED project it is where much of what we now call phygital actually began — not as a trend we adopted, but as a constraint we had to build our way through.

Port Virtual Lab lets trainees run simulated companies inside a digital environment built to mirror real port operations. PLIKA connects a knowledge network across the Mediterranean. This year we introduced AI training for port-logistics communities, because ignoring the tool was not an option and neither was letting it replace what matters: judgement, presence and human connection. That is the thinking behind Education Beyond Intelligence, our anniversary training programme — modules on theatre, on music, on ethics, built on the conviction that technology should sharpen a person’s discernment rather than stand in for it.

Education, like music

I have come to think of education the way I think of music: both ephemeral and lasting. Every course ends. Every group goes home. And yet something stays — a way of understanding intermodality, a sensitivity to sustainability, the habit of asking not only whether something works but whether it should.

The six stars in our anniversary logo — imagination, dialogue, self-determination, effort, trust, wisdom — were chosen to describe the people who built this place. They borrow from Areté, and we have never been much interested in defining virtue in the abstract. It is easier to point at it. As of this autumn, our address in Barcelona is Jardins de l’Areté, 1. Twenty years of work, and the word ends up on the post. There are worse ways to be reminded of what you said you stood for.

The screen can simulate, and the platform can connect a community across four countries before breakfast.

The theatre, the music, the ship and the people in the room are a different matter.

Next month we sail to the ports that made us, and I suspect the conversations on board will be the same ones we have been having since 2006: what should we teach, and how. We began by asking road hauliers to trust a ship, and the only argument that ever worked was letting them stand on the deck. Twenty years later the answer is still not technological. The next twenty will belong to whoever keeps asking, course by course, which parts of learning have to stay in the room.

Escola Europea explores cooperation with Ibn Zohr University to strengthen logistics education in Morocco

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The Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport continues to strengthen its collaboration with higher education institutions across the Mediterranean. During a recent visit to Agadir, representatives of the Escola met with Ibn Zohr University (Université Ibn Zohr – UIZ) to explore opportunities for cooperation in transport, logistics and international trade education.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to present their educational activities, exchange experiences, and discuss how closer collaboration could contribute to developing the next generation of logistics professionals in Morocco.

Founded in 1989, Ibn Zohr University is one of Morocco’s largest public universities, serving five regions in the south of the country—Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab and Drâa-Tafilalet. Through campuses in Agadir, Aït Melloul, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Laâyoune, Guelmim, Smara and Dakhla, the university plays a key role in higher education and regional development.

The meeting was attended by Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs, and Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation, who welcomed Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport.

From left to right: Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation; Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport; and Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs at Ibn Zohr University, during the meeting held in Agadir to explore future cooperation in logistics and transport education.

During the discussions, the Escola presented its practical approach to logistics education, its international training activities, and its digital learning initiatives, including the Port Virtual Lab (PVL)—the online simulation platform that allows students and professionals to experience international transport operations through realistic, collaborative scenarios.

One of the key topics explored was the potential integration of Ibn Zohr University into the Port Virtual Lab network. Such cooperation would enable students to participate in simulation-based learning activities alongside participants from other universities and professional training programmes, strengthening both their technical knowledge and their international collaboration skills.

Beyond student participation, both institutions also discussed opportunities to involve other organisations from the Agadir region, creating stronger links between academia, industry and the local logistics ecosystem. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to preparing professionals capable of responding to the rapidly evolving challenges facing transport, ports and international supply chains.

The meeting marks an important first step towards building a long-term partnership between the Escola Europea and Ibn Zohr University, further reinforcing the Escola’s mission of promoting practical, international and collaborative education throughout the Mediterranean region.

From Classroom to Operations: Rethinking Logistics Education at CSCMP European Conference 2026

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Supply chains are changing faster than ever.

Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability requirements and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping the way goods move around the world. Yet one important question remains: are we preparing future professionals to operate successfully in this new environment?

This question guided the workshop organised by Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport during the CSCMP Europe Conference 2026 in Madrid, one of Europe’s leading gatherings of supply chain professionals and industry experts.

Titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”, the session explored how logistics education can evolve beyond traditional teaching models and create learning experiences that better reflect the realities of modern supply chains.

Participants during the workshop titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”

The discussion brought together Eduard Rodés, Director of Escola Europea, Orlando Reveco, Digital Product Manager, and Valeria Munar, Community Builder, who shared different perspectives on educational innovation, industry collaboration and the role of technology in developing future logistics talent.

At the heart of the conversation was a simple idea: knowledge alone is no longer enough.

Future professionals must learn how to analyse information, collaborate with others, make decisions under pressure and understand the consequences of those decisions in complex operational environments. Developing these skills requires educational approaches that combine theory with practice and allow participants to learn through experience.

This is where simulation, gamification and digital learning environments play an increasingly important role.

Group photo of the participants of the workshop titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”

During the workshop, Escola Europea presented PVL Flash, the latest addition to the Port Virtual Lab ecosystem. Designed as a fast-paced, gamified learning experience, PVL Flash challenges participants to solve real logistics and international trade scenarios by analysing data, evaluating transport alternatives and making operational decisions in real time.

Workshop facilitators from left to right: Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea; Valeria Munar, Community Builder of the Escola Europea; and Orlando Reveco, Digital Products Manager

More importantly, however, PVL Flash served as an example of a broader vision.

At Escola Europea, we believe the future of education lies in learning ecosystems that connect educational institutions, companies, ports, logistics operators and technology providers. These ecosystems enable learners to move more naturally between knowledge and application, between digital environments and real operations.

As Eduard Rodés explained during the session, “The challenge is no longer simply to transfer knowledge. We need to create learning environments where participants can experiment, make decisions and understand the impact of those decisions in contexts that increasingly resemble real operations. The closer we bring learning to reality, the better prepared professionals will be for the challenges of modern supply chains.”

The conversations held during CSCMP confirmed that this challenge is shared across the industry. Organisations are increasingly looking for ways to strengthen the connection between education and employment, improve workforce readiness and create more engaging learning experiences for future professionals.

The conference also provided an opportunity to deepen the relationship between Escola Europea and CSCMP, opening new avenues for collaboration around professional development, educational innovation and the promotion of best practices across the logistics and supply chain sector. Both organisations share a commitment to fostering talent and supporting the continuous evolution of the industry through knowledge exchange and lifelong learning.

As we continue to develop our Escola 2030 vision, these discussions reinforce our conviction that the future of logistics education will not be built by educational institutions alone. It will be built through collaboration between all actors involved in shaping the supply chains of tomorrow.

Looking ahead, Escola Europea hopes to continue contributing to CSCMP initiatives and future editions of the conference, creating spaces where educators, practitioners and technology providers can work together to address the skills and competencies that tomorrow’s supply chains will require.

The classroom remains important. But the future belongs to learning environments that bring operations closer to learners — and learners closer to operations.

From the Mediterranean to the world: Escola Europea consolidates its growth and sets a new strategic direction

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Barcelona, 22 April 2026 – Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport has presented its 2025 results during the meetings of its Executive Committee and Governing Board, confirming a year of sustained growth, international expansion, and consolidation of its educational model.

Representatives of the Governing Board and Executive Committee of Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport during the meetings held in Barcelona.

Bringing together key port and logistics stakeholders

The meetings gathered leading representatives from the international port and logistics ecosystem, including key figures from European port authorities and industry partners.

Participants in the Governing Board included José Alberto Carbonell (Port of Barcelona), Raffaele Latrofa (Port System Authority of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea), Annalisa Tardino (Port System Authority of the Western Sicilian Sea), Leonardo Picozzi (Port System Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea), Mario Massarotti (Grimaldi Lines), and Matteo Catani (GNV – MSC Group). Eduard Rodés, Director of Escola Europea, also participated.

The Executive Committee, chaired by Eduard Rodés, brought together representatives from partner institutions and companies, alongside invited guests from the Italian port system.

Experiencing port operations first-hand

The meetings were complemented by a technical visit to the Port of Barcelona, offering participants a first-hand look at key operational and strategic initiatives. The programme included presentations on the Nexigen project and the port’s cruise strategy, as well as visits to Onshore Power Supply (OPS) facilities and cruise terminals.

Participants also explored the Escola Europea’s training facilities and were introduced to innovation initiatives such as the Blue Tech Port, reinforcing the link between training, innovation, and real-world port operations.

A year of growth in training and outreach

In 2025, Escola Europea delivered 94 training programmes, reaching more than 3,200 participants.

A key element of its methodology remains experiential learning:

  • 800+ participants embarked on vessels to experience logistics operations first-hand
  • 1,000+ students engaged through local programmes such as Forma’t al Port and Port Academies
  • 900+ participants used the Port Virtual Lab (PVL), the Escola’s digital simulation platform

These initiatives are complemented by maritime visits, through which the Escola reached over 4,500 people, offering direct insight into port infrastructure and strategies.

➡️ In total, more than 200 activities reached approximately 7,700 participants throughout the year.

From the Mediterranean to the world: Escola Europea consolidates its growth and sets a new strategic direction

A comprehensive training ecosystem

The Escola’s activities form a structured educational ecosystem covering multiple audiences and needs:

  • Vocational training programmes, including Forma’t al Port and Port Academies
  • University-level programmes, such as MOST (Motorways of the Sea Training)
  • Specialised training, including SURCO rail-port operations and technical courses
  • Logistics and port workshops with real operational exposure
  • Innovation-driven programmes based on tools like the Port Virtual Lab (PVL)
  • Tailor-made training developed with institutional and industry partners
  • A growing international community

The Escola’s global alumni network now exceeds 23,000 professionals, strengthening connections across the port-logistics sector.

At the same time, digitalisation continues to expand its reach. The Port Virtual Lab (PVL) is now used by training centres across Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean, enabling participants to simulate and manage supply chains in a practical, risk-free environment.

Looking ahead: a new strategic phase

2026 marks a turning point for the organisation, with the approval of its Strategic Plan 2026–2030.

As part of this new phase, Escola Europea strengthens its positioning as a “phygital” organisation, combining real-world logistics experience with digital simulation tools to deliver training adapted to an increasingly complex and digitalised sector.

Looking forward, the Escola will:

  • Reinforce its role as a training hub through European projects
  • Focus on sustainability, digitalisation, and skills development
  • Expand its connections beyond the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East

 

“With this new strategy, we are not only training professionals — we are building a shared ecosystem where knowledge, innovation, and people come together to shape the future of global logistics,”
— Eduard Rodés, Director of Escola Europea

20 years connecting people, ports and progress

As Escola Europea celebrates its 20th anniversary, it reaffirms its mission:

to train, connect, and inspire the professionals who move global trade.

Port Professionals Unite for Innovation and Immersive Learning at the PLIKA II Annual Event

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The Port Logistics International Knowledge Academy (PLIKA) marked a major milestone with its II Annual Event, titled “Growing Together: A PLIKA Simulation Experience,” held on the 18th of June 2025 in Barcelona and online. Hosted by Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport, the event gathered professionals, educators, and innovators from the Mediterranean’s port logistics ecosystem and beyond to celebrate progress, share insights, and experience the future of immersive learning through the Port Virtual Lab (PVL) Flash simulation.

Founded with the mission to connect port professionals, promote international collaboration, and foster continuous education through digital tools, PLIKA has become a thriving community of practice, counting 66+ members across institutions and regions, including recent additions like SAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and the Port Network Authority of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy).

Simulation as a Bridge Between Learning and Real-World Complexity

At the heart of the day’s activities was the Port Virtual Lab Flash challenge-an interactive, gamified simulation designed to mirror real-world logistics decision-making. In this edition, participants were grouped into teams and challenged to compare multimodal transport solutions for delivering a CNC milling machine from Cairo, Egypt to Bari, Italy, taking into account cost, CO₂ emissions, and delivery time.

Using PVL’s immersive interface, participants evaluated sea, air, and combined transport routes by working with realistic data from simulated freight companies such as Playforwarding Barcelona, inspired by real-world freight forwarders. The scenario tested not only technical logistics knowledge but also decision-making under pressure, critical thinking, and teamwork.

The simulation concluded with a competitive debrief, analysis of the top-performing teams, and the announcement of the winning group by Mr. Abdessalam Obeidat (Aqaba Development Corporation), followed by final reflections from Mr. Rabih Sabra (Chamber of Commerce, Beirut) and Ms. Taheya Elsherbeny (Port Training Institute, AASTMT).

The event opened with a warm welcome from Mr. Eduard Rodés, President of PLIKA and Director of Escola Europea, who emphasized the academy’s commitment to innovation and inclusive education. Prof. Alaa Morsy, Vice President of PLIKA, highlighted how the community is growing stronger through regional engagement and partnerships with maritime and academic institutions.

Ms. Ana Rumbeu, Director of Training at Fundación Valenciaport and PLIKA Vice President, delivered a forward-looking presentation on the evolution of training frameworks in logistics and the skills required in the face of automation, digitalisation, and global shifts.

“Every new relationship we build here brings us closer to transforming the port logistics industry and leading change. Together, we can achieve great things” – Ana Rumbeu, Fundación Valenciaport

Meanwhile, Ms. Valeria Munar, PLIKA Community Builder at Escola Europea, showcased the growing momentum of PLIKA initiatives-from newsletters and monthly “Words of the Month” to the highly successful PLIKERS Innovation Hackathon and webinars on AI and Mediterranean cooperation.

What’s Next for PLIKA?

“Today’s event was a true celebration of the spirit of collaboration, learning, and community that defines PLIKA. It reflected the richness of diverse perspectives and shared values across the borders of the Euro-Mediterranean region.”

– Rabih Sabra, Director General – Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut & Mount Lebanon

Looking ahead, PLIKA aims to expand its reach through more collaborative simulations, new learning modules powered by PVL-including rail and air freight-and a stronger presence in the Mediterranean and global South. Plans are already underway for the 2026 edition of the Annual Event, with a continued focus on bridging education, simulation, and sustainable logistics .By democratizing access to experiential learning, PLIKA continues to empower a new generation of logistics professionals-ready to lead with competence, confidence, and collaboration.

Your Comfort Zone isn’t Intermodal – it needs Digital Skills

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Eduard Rodés, Director - Escola Europea - Intermodal Transporrt

Written by: Eduard Rodés,
Director – Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport

We are facing a period of major global change. Global logistics operators are merging, extending their capacity across air, land and sea. Large shipping companies are diversifying their services and transforming into integrated mobility providers.

All of this is having a direct impact on supply chains, which are becoming more and more intermodal and in need of more digital skills. And this doesn’t just affect infrastructure, platforms or processes—it affects people. The professionals who have to make decisions in these new environments.

That’s where the real shift needs to happen. And no, I’m not talking about becoming a computer scientist overnight. I’m talking about being prepared to work in a system that is already digital, already intermodal, and moving fast.

That’s why we built Port Virtual Lab (PVL)—to give students and professionals a way to learn by doing. PVL lets you simulate decisions, understand how your choices impact the full supply chain, and prepare for the kind of scenarios we’re already seeing in real life.

When we talk about “training,” we’re not referring to memorizing abstract concepts. We mean giving people the tools to navigate a world that demands agility, awareness, and coordination across modes and borders.

The map is changing. Asia is increasing its global presence. Africa is rising with new transport corridors. The Arctic opens up new possibilities. All of it means that we’re moving into a new era where logistics professionals will need new skills, and not just technical ones: digital skills, yes—but also collaborative, adaptive, and strategic.

So… If you’re still using “I’m not into tech” as a reason to avoid training, we’re sorry to tell you:

Your comfort zone isn’t intermodal.

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Bridging Shores, Empowering Minds: Escola Europea Showcases Innovation and Education at LogisMed Casablanca

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From 13 to 15 May 2025, the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport brought its vision for a smarter, more connected logistics ecosystem to Casablanca, taking part in the 12th edition of LogisMed — Morocco’s largest logistics fair. The Foire Internationale de Casablanca became a vibrant crossroads of cultures and ideas, where port communities, innovators, and educators came together to imagine the logistics of tomorrow.

Representing the Escola were Alessia Mastromattei, Country Manager for Italy, and Oumkhelthoum Imigine, Projects Coordinator, who carried with them not just tools and brochures — but stories, partnerships, and a mission. At the Escola’s stand — shared with long-standing partners from the ports of Genoa, Palermo, Rome, and Barcelona, as well as Grimaldi Lines and GNV — visitors were welcomed into a Mediterranean alliance built on collaboration between public and private sectors. A living example of what it means to work across borders, languages, and perspectives.

The spotlight was on the Port Virtual Lab (PVL) — an innovative simulator developed by the Escola to bring logistics education into the digital age. Through gamified experiences and real-world scenarios, PVL helps young talents and professionals gain practical insights into port operations and supply chain management. It’s not just a tool — it’s a bridge between classrooms and quaysides.

“What struck me the most at LogisMed was the energy — the genuine curiosity of students, the passion of educators, and the openness of industry leaders ready to collaborate across borders,” said Alessia Mastromattei. “Every conversation felt like a doorway to something new. We didn’t just present our tools — we connected with people who believe, like us, that education is the engine of transformation in the logistics world.”

For the Escola, events like LogisMed are more than just exhibitions — they are a testament to its core values: training, innovation, and cross-border cooperation. With every fair, course, and connection, the Escola reaffirms its commitment to empowering the next generation of logistics professionals — equipping them with the tools, networks, and inspiration they need to transform the sector.

Logistics chain

#DidYouKnow: Freight Forwarders: The Architects of the Logistics Chain

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Logistics as Design, Not Just Delivery

In the international trade arena, few roles are as undervalued — and as essential — as that of the freight forwarder. Often perceived as a behind-the-scenes player, the forwarder is, in fact, the true architect of the logistics chain. Their work involves designing and coordinating the complex structure through which goods move — across continents, through various transport modes, and within a constantly evolving regulatory framework.

Logistics chain

This is not just about execution. It is about intelligent design. A freight forwarder must construct an operation that is cost-effective, compliant, resilient, and efficient. They map out routes, anticipate disruptions, manage documentation, and ensure that multiple actors — carriers, customs authorities, warehouses — are synchronized.

Because in the end, logistics is not only about moving goods. It’s about shaping systems. And for that, we need architects — not just operators.

In many cases, their success is invisible: shipments arrive as planned, delays are avoided, and problems are solved before they escalate. But beneath this apparent simplicity lies a profound level of expertise and strategic thinking. The freight forwarder is not just a link in the chain; they are the one who makes the chain function.

Mastering Complexity Through Integration

In the current logistics landscape, the role of the forwarder extends far beyond transport coordination. It includes the integration of systems, technologies, and sustainability criteria into the very fabric of the supply chain. From ERP platforms and customs software to emissions tracking and e-documentation standards, the digital layer is now inseparable from daily operations.

Today’s freight forwarder must be able to:

  • Use ERP systems to manage and analyze real-time data
  • Coordinate international documentation flows digitally (eBOL, eCMR, eFTI)
  • Understand and comply with European transport regulations
  • Design routes that balance cost, reliability, and environmental impact
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to clients in a changing global market

At the Escola Europea, we have seen how the most effective professionals are those who can move confidently between systems and strategies — who combine operational knowledge with digital and environmental awareness. As demands on logistics teams increase, the forwarder must not only respond, but lead.

Training the Architects of the Future

For freight forwarders to fully step into this expanded role, practical, scenario-based training is essential. Theoretical knowledge is no longer enough. Real understanding comes from experience — from navigating uncertainty, making time-sensitive decisions, and collaborating across virtual and physical borders.

This is the foundation of our work at the Escola Europea: to offer learning experiences that reflect the reality of today’s logistics chains. Through tools such as the Port Virtual Lab platform, we replicate real operational environments and allow professionals to work with live simulations, digital documentation, and integrated ERP systems.

One of our more recent initiatives has focused on equipping logistics professionals with the digital and strategic skills needed to lead in this new environment. It emphasizes immersive simulation, teamwork, and sustainable logistics design — always with the goal of developing professionals who can think holistically and act decisively.

Port Virtual Lab (PVL) recognized by the European Commission as a key simulation-based training programme

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Port Virtual Lab recognized by the European Commission as a key simulation-based training program for developing competencies in the blue economy

 

Port Virtual Lab (PVL) has been highlighted as a best practice in blue skills training in the Study to Support and Design Skills Development in the Blue Economy, commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and CINEA. The study identifies PVL as an innovative, technology–driven, and practical learning tool crucial for developing competencies in the blue economy.

Currently in its pilot phase, PVL is refining and expanding its training capabilities through hands-on collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners. Developed by Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport, the platform provides an advanced digital learning environment where participants can simulate and solve complex logistics challenges. This methodology fosters an immersive approach to learning, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

The study underscores the increasing importance of simulation-based training in enhancing blue skills development. These innovative approaches create realistic, interactive scenarios that replicate actual industry conditions, improving decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, gamification, blended learning, and e-learning platforms were identified as crucial elements in modern training programs. PVL integrates these methods by offering modular and flexible learning experiences, accommodating the needs of students, professionals, and industry stakeholders alike.

By combining simulation-based training with strong academia-industry collaboration, Port Virtual Lab plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of maritime and logistics professionals. As PVL progresses through its pilot phase, participating institutions have the unique opportunity to be early adopters, helping shape the platform’s development while benefiting from an exclusive introductory experience.

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