Logistics

More than 150 millions of containers (20‑foot equivalent units) are transported on the world’s oceans each year (UNCTAD 2019). Due to overall market imbalances, empty container transports, e.g. from Europe (Import region) to Asia (Export region), occur on the transport on sea as well as land. Empty container runs provide an urgent issue in Maritime Logistics as they create high costs at no revenue. In the port hinterland, for example, containers have to be transported to customers and often go back empty to the next destination (port, other destination) where an empty container is required. As 60% to 80% of the costs in container transportation occur in the port hinterland (Tran et al. 2017; Notteboom et al. 2005), focusing on this part of the transport chain is critical.

The coronavirus also presents the logistics industry with challenges. Airplanes grounded, containers backed up in Europe’s ports, global supply chains interrupted: Questions like how the industry will handle this and what solutions there are will be answered at transport logistic Online. From May 4 to 6, 2021 the digital symposium for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management offers a unique overview of the current topics and challenges in the industry.

LogiMAT—the International Trade Show for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management scheduled for June 22–24, 2021, in Stuttgart, Germany—has to be postponed due to the difficult ongoing situation with Covid-19. The organizer, EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH, has decided to push back the upcoming trade show to March 8–10, 2022, to give exhibitors the certainty they need for long-term planning. The organizer is working on a digital concept so that visitors and exhibitors can still meet virtually in 2021.

Trucks will remain essential to cargo transport in the upcoming decades. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and their partners have developed a concept for the truck of the future, including Europe-wide approval for the use of LHV trucks (Longer Heavier Vehicles), diesel hybrid drives and a multifunctional driver’s cab.

Messe München will organize the air cargo forum for The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). It will take place every two years at the Miami Beach Convention Center (USA) and will continue to be supported by TIACA with industry expertise.