Record attendance at transport logistic

Organisers are claiming attendance records for the transport logistic show held from June 4 to 7. "Transport logistic has confirmed its role as the world's largest intermodal logistics hub," says Stefan Rummel, managing director of Messe Munchen. "There were 2,374 exhibitors, an increase of 10%, and around 64,000 visitors, an increase of 5% (over the previous show)." The trade fair has grown by one hall to 10 halls and has once again become significantly more international, with foreigners making up 56% of exhibitors and 47% of visitors. "We saw strong growth from China, where the number of exhibitors almost doubled by 30 new ones to 64," says Rummel. "Chinese companies are increasingly looking for co-operation partners in Europe as part of the Silk Road Initiative." The top topics were the trade war between the USA and China and the shortage of drivers, but the New Silk Road was clearly noticeable. (Announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the New Silk Road is a new trade corridor between China and its neighbours in the west, most notably Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.) The major challenges facing the industry were discussed at the opening of a high-profile round panel discussion. "We need to make the growing traffic flows more efficient and affordable as well as environmentally and climate-friendly," Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer stated. In reference to the global economy, DHL head Dr. Frank Appel expressed restrained optimism "even though current relations between governments in the US and China are not conducive at the moment". However, he was confident that "goods find their way, despite customs disputes". Dorothea von Boxberg, managing director - product and sales at Lufthansa Cargo, said "the situation is currently also challenging for air freight, which is a very volatile business. We have to be open to options and think in the long term." Alexander Doll, director of finance, Freight Transport and Logistics at Deutsche Bahn AG, distinguished between global and intra-regional trade flows: "We still see decent growth in the latter." And Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, explained that his company is well prepared: "We have been an active driver of consolidation in our industry over the past five years, enabling us to strengthen our overall market position significantly." The driver shortage was also one of the dominant topics. In addition to more attractive working conditions, artificial intelligence could help in the long term; this should make logistics chains more transparent and efficient overall. Transport logistic returns to Munich from May 4-17, 2021.