On April 23-24, the key event in the field of transport logistics in Georgia took place in Tbilisi at The Biltmore Hotel – the international conference MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT AND TRANSIT FORUM 2024.
More than 170 delegates from 20 countries took part in the forum.
This event is set to be a pivotal platform for professionals and key players in the transportation and logistics sector, focusing on the evolving landscape of multimodal transportation across Europe and Asia.
The conference delved into the latest trends in cargo transportation and the significant role of the Black Sea region as a transit hub and provided a stage for in-depth exploration of the development and challenges in rail, road, and sea freight transport.
The partner of the business program is NUR ZHOL COMPANY.
The sessions were sponsored by MALBI-trans s.r.o., Transvector Ltd., Grampet Group and Forkliftcenter.
The exhibitors were Grampet Group, Camco Technologies and Forkliftcenter.
Official information support was provided by:
- Association of International Forwarding and Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD)
- Union of Road Carriers and Forwarders of Kazakhstan(САПЭК)
- International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport(UIRR)
- Association of International Road Carriers of Azerbaijan(ABADA)
- Freight Forwarders Association of Azerbaijan(FFAA)
- Association of Freight Forwarders of Georgia (AFG)
- “Turkmen Logistics”Association (TLA)
- Украинский Логистический Альянс (ULA)
- Interlegal (law firm, Ukraine)
- PLASKE Academy
- APK Inform ASIA
The meeting began with welcoming coffee and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
Roman Dedkov, Founder & CEO of the organizing company RDL group, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.
Then we moved on to Session 1, moderated by Kanat Kobessov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NurZholCompany LLP, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Exporters “KazGrain”. He was the first to speak on the topic “Infrastructure of Eurasia, short- and medium-term trends.”
The prospects for the development of the TMTM corridor from the point of view of a European carrier were discussed by Liliana Krutonog, General Director of MALBI-trans – Sponsors of the Session.
George Doborjginidze, Chairman of the Georgian Logistics Association – საქართველოს ლოგისტიკის ასოციაცია and Professor of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the Caucasus University, revealed a voluminous topic – “Major infrastructure projects and developments in Georgia. The middle corridor as an international link in multimodal transport – challenges and opportunities.”
UIRR President, Ralf-Charley Schultze, then spoke about combined transport and ways to improve it.
Session 1 was completed by Irakli Danelia (PhD in Economics), Business Development Manager in the regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus at A.P. Moller – Maersk. He discussed the topic of relations with Central Asia.
For the first time at our conference, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed. It was concluded by NUR ZHOL COMPANY and MALBI-trans s.r.o.
After the coffee break, the forum continued with Session 2, which was dedicated to rail transportation. It was opened by Radu Balcu, Advisor to the President of Grampet Group. He explained what the Middle Corridor lacks to become a competitor to the Northern Corridor.
This was followed by a speech by Dmitrij Hasenkampf, General Director of Sales and Business Development at RTSB GmbH- Rail Transportation Service Broker, who spoke about the future of multimodal transport between China and Europe and its place in the global market.
The topic of intermodal connectivity with Central Asia, as well as a neutral and global intermodal solution, was highlighted by Martin Koubek, Director of the Silk Road and CIS Department of METRANS Group and Member of the Board of CL EUROPORT sp zoo.
Then Gleb Shilov, Director Sales Single Container at DB Cargo Eurasia, spoke with the topic “Railway connection with European countries”.
Dmitrijs Fjodorovs, IT Director of SIGIS, concluded Session 2 with a presentation on software solutions for efficient transport management.
After the lunch break, the participants returned to the conference hall and continued listening to the speakers. Session 3 dealt with maritime transport and conditions on the cargo transportation market in the Black Sea. It was opened by Mikheil Babunashvili, Commercial Director of E60 Shipping Line, who spoke about the ferry service between Georgia and Europe across the Black Sea.
Paata Adamia, General Director of Marine Shipping & Forwarding, reviewed the regional cargo transportation market and shared the main trends and challenges.
Veselin Rubcev, General Director of Donau Star, spoke next, discussing the topic “Multimodal transportation of heavy and oversized cargo from Western Europe to the Black Sea and Caspian regions.”
Stanislav Kovaljov, Head of Cargo Insurance and Logistics at Marine Services Group, in his speech revealed the details of proper insurance in logistics.
Session 3 was completed by Arthur Nitsevych и Karyna Gorovaya, Partner and Associate Partner of Interlegal (law firm, Ukraine). They shared their own practice regarding ways to resolve disputes in container shipping on the Black Sea.
After Session 3, a number of Memorandums of Cooperation were also signed. The first of them was concluded by NUR ZHOL COMPANY and Camco Technologies.
The following Memorandum was signed by NUR ZHOL COMPANY and Concept logistics.
The third Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by NUR ZHOL COMPANY and Grampet Group.
After a short coffee break, we moved on to the final, fourth, Session – Development of seaports – becoming “greener” and “smarter”. It was opened by Mario Escobar, Business Development Manager at APM Terminals Poti, talking about Poti’s emergence as the gateway of choice for the Middle Corridor.
Ketevan Oragvelidze, Marketing Manager at Batumi International Container Terminal LLC, shared her vision of the growing potential of Georgia as a sea and land transport hub.
Then Dan Jarnea, Head of Marketing of the Port of Constanta, spoke about the Port of Constanta and its role in the Black Sea.
The forum was concluded by Klemens Materi, Project Manager for Corporate Development and Strategy at duisport – Duisburger Hafen AG. He raised the topic of the port of Duisburg as a European hub for cargo from Asia.
The forum participants spent the evening at the gala dinner making new acquaintances and discussing projects.
The second day of the forum was devoted to an excursion to the Askaneli winery. The participants visited a wine factory and tasted incredibly delicious Georgian wines.
We hope that our forum was useful and informative for all participants, bringing new acquaintances, partnerships and ideas for further sustainable development!
We look forward to our next meetings!
RDL group
www.rdl.group
info@rdl.group
+380 931 77 60 55
+370 691 98 6 98