The German logistics sector faced a decline in orders between 2023 and 2024, reports hamburg-business.com. This is the result of an overall reduction in economic performance of 0.3% in 2023 and 0.2% in 2024. Despite short-term fluctuations, Statista forecasts the logistics market to reach a volume of over USD 14.08 trillion by 2028.

The key to achieving this optimistic outlook, according to Professor Hanno Friedrich of Kühne Logistics University, is more effective cooperation between logistics companies. SMEs can optimise capacity utilisation, improve coordination and transport transparency through networking and information sharing. Automation, of course, plays a crucial role in this process.

In 2023, Germany recorded approximately 142 million unladen truck journeys. In addition to the lack of a central system, a shortage of drivers contributes to this high figure. According to the authors of the text, what can improve the coordination of journeys? The use of digital platforms and markets. Not only will it bring about journey coordination, it will also increase transparency in the supply chain, reduce costs, save time and reduce CO₂ emissions.

The text also states that Hamburg is becoming a hub for logistics startups in Germany. It is home to Shipzero, for example, which has developed a data platform for managing emissions in transport chains. In addition, initiatives such as Digital Hub Logistics effectively connect individual start-ups, companies, investors and researchers, so that logistics innovation receives significant support and synergies.

Another major economic opportunity for the German capital is the expected opening of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel in 2029, which is calculated to cut the journey between Puttgarden in Germany and Rødbyhavn in Denmark to seven minutes by train or ten minutes by car. The 18-kilometre link will be the world’s longest submerged tunnel and is expected to create new jobs, boost the economy and contribute to climate protection.

Source : https://hamburg-business.com/en/news/future-of-logistics-reliant-on-cooperation-and-digitalisation