System solutions in the transport industry fundamentally change traditional approaches. Alina Zhizhina, Director of the International Relations and Marketing Department at SIGIS, is confident that an important element of such changes is real-time tracking, management of transport processes and logistics tasks. This allows customers to reduce transportation costs and improve overall company productivity.
In collaboration with industry partners including HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort GmbH, the University of Bremen has developed an innovative AI-enabled condition monitoring system for port vehicles as part of the research project “KISS”. This system uses advanced technologies to monitor the technical condition of vehicles in real time.
Mark Jansen, CEO of Hupac NV, began his speech by introducing his company. Hupac NV, covering 130 intermodal trains daily, operates traditional “Red Line” intermodal routes tailored to the needs of road transport, as well as “Blue Line” maritime routes operated by their subsidiary ERS, with a focus on key ports such as Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Rotterdam. Despite challenges such as the economic downturn and infrastructure failures such as the closure of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, HUPAC remains resilient.
DACHSER is expanding its warehouse capacity in France with new facilities in Roissy and Nîmes. In Roissy, on the outskirts of Paris, 20,000 square meters of warehouse space were created. A 12,000 square meter warehouse has opened in Nîmes, in the Occitanie region of southern France.
Marc Hunziker, Head of Asset and Sales Coordination, Intermodal Product and Business Development at VTG Rail Europe GmbH, noted that current discussions revolve around the critical environmental and logistics challenges facing the transport sector, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions that go beyond just reducing CO2 emissions . Participants highlight the importance of the regulatory framework in Europe and the wider social impact on future generations, emphasizing that environmental responsibility goes beyond emissions control.
The Lithuanian government has approved an infrastructure development plan for the Rail Baltica section from Jesia (Kaunas) to the border with Poland. As part of this project, procedures for the purchase of land for public needs will also begin. The new double-track European railway will be built along the Alternative 6A route, approved in 2022 after active public discussions. This route is the shortest and farthest from urban areas.
Stephen Archer, CEO of Baltic Rail, said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has experienced significant changes. First there was the conflict in Ukraine, followed by large-scale political movements on environmental issues aimed at creating a greener supply chain. Now we are faced with a crisis in the Red Sea. It’s also worth noting that artificial intelligence has become an important part of our lives, and many of us are still just beginning to adapt to these changes.
In the first five months of this year, rail traffic between Kazakhstan and China increased by 12%, reaching 12.8 million tons, compared to the same period last year.
Tabea Klang, General Manager of DB Cargo Eurasia, discussed the topic of market changes and projects. DB Cargo Eurasia is a key player in the logistics sector, offering vital solutions for rail transport between China and Europe. Their services have become increasingly important due to various geopolitical events such as the Red Sea crisis and disruptions in the Suez Canal, which have threatened traditional supply chains. Demand for rail freight from China has increased over the past six to seven years, although it has fallen in 2023. However, recent crises have reaffirmed the importance of rail solutions, prompting more customers to seek long-term rail transport options.
Eric Mekenkamp, Principal Consultant at Buck Consultants International, introduced the boutique consulting firm, headquartered in the Netherlands with additional offices in Asia and the Americas, specializing in economic consulting with a focus on logistics. Despite its small size, the company boasts a diverse team of 75 experts in each office, with a wide range of skills and knowledge. Their core mission is to help clients optimize supply chains around the world by offering expertise in site selection, supply chain strategies and corporate real estate strategies.
