transport logistic: On the Last Mile to a Record Trade Fair
Global world hotspot: The world’s largest logistics trade fair transport logistic will take place in Munich at the beginning of June. All major market players will be there and discuss Europe’s opportunities against the background of China’s Silk Road Initiative, the shortage of skilled workers, paths to smart city logistics and the specific logistics trends on road and rail, water and air, among other things.
“We do not feel uncertainties due to trade wars, economic developments or Brexit when participating in this year’s trade fair—to the contrary: The number of exhibitors has so far increased by 9 percent from 2,162 to 2,360 and its international share has risen by 3 percent to 56 percent,” Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München, stated. Growth comes mainly from European markets, but participation from China has almost doubled to 64 exhibitors. There will be twenty-five international joint pavilions, including Sri Lanka, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey. “Logistics is the cornerstone behind global trade flows, and there is a great need for information and international cooperation,” Mr. Rummel said. The trade fair has opened another hall and consequently will extend over 10 halls and the open air area.
Top line-up at the opening
“Changing Global Markets—Is Logistics in the Driving Seat?” is the topic of the trade fair opening. Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure, will open the fair, then Dr. Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL; Dorothea von Boxberg, Executive Board of Product and Sales of Lufthansa Cargo AG; Alexander Doll, Executive Board of Finance, Freight Transport and Logistics of Deutsche Bahn AG and Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG will participate in a panel discussion. The round will be moderated by Anja Kohl.
Artificial intelligence takes off
There will be approx. 50 forums in the conference program, focusing on the global economy, digitalization, the lack of drivers and skilled workers as well as sustainable city logistics. Artificial intelligence is seen as a promising response to many challenges. This is also the case in air freight, which—inter alia—will be discussed in the forum “Artificial Intelligence: Next Level Air Cargo?”. Air cargo Europe is the world’s largest meeting of the air cargo industry and an important growth driver of transport logistic with 230 exhibitors.
Encouragement for rail, road seeks driver, sea freight at sulfur limit
“Rail in the future! What can the Rail Freight Master Plan achieve?” The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure intends to significantly increase the share of rail in the German Modal Split with a series of immediate measures and will present the plan. Sea freight is currently mainly challenged by additional costs due to the new sulfur limit. On the road, the lack of drivers is the dominant theme: Working conditions need to be improved, the job profile adapted and new target groups addressed. “transport logistic covers all areas of logistics. Anyone who wants to feel the pulse of the globalized world must be there,” Stefan Rummel explained.