Future of logistics reliant on cooperation and digitalisation

"There is clearly room for improvement in the professionalisation of logistics," said Friedrich and stressed the need for cooperation. "There are many advantages to organising and working in networks e.g., to optimise the use of capacities." This is particularly true for supply chain management, he added. SMEs in particular are still using  individual procedures and systems, which makes coordination and transparency difficult. "Efficiency and sustainability can be improved by sharing information and best practices. By tracking information throughout the supply chain, we can pinpoint sustainability issues and address them."

Friedrich, whose research focuses on transport, demand modelling and risk management in transport and logistics, cites the high number of empty lorries on roads all over Germany. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, drivers without cargo completed a good 142 million empty journeys in 2023, which exacerbates the shortage of lorry drivers. "Platforms and digital marketplaces improved the co-ordination of journeys, and also help freight forwarders to achieve greater transparency in the supply chain." Such data-driven transparency cuts costs, saves time and reduces CO2 emissions. "The Hamburg-based startup, Shipzero, for instance, has developed a data platform for emissions management in transport chains, and is committed to greater sustainability," Friedrich pointed out. 

Startups can find support in the Digital Hub Logistics in the Speicherstadt warehouse district. The innovation space for logistics and retail links up startups, companies, investors and research eases access to key stakerholders in the national and international ecosystem. Belgium's Hyperfox is among the newcomers and raised EUR 3.2 million in a seed round in January and then opened an office in Hamburg in February. "Hamburg is a key logistics hub, and is also home to Europe’s third-largest port and a thriving ecosystem of supply chain and logistics technology companies," a press release said.

The planned opening of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel could make Hamburg even more attractive to domestic and foreign companies. The tunnel should cut the journey from Puttgarden to Rødbyhavn to seven minutes by train or ten minutes by car - the ferry currently takes 45 minutes. That halves the journey time from Hamburg to Copenhagen to 2.5 hours, making travel between Germany and Denmark and between Scandinavia and Central Europe even faster and more comfortable. The 18-kilometre link will be the world's longest immersed tunnel and is expected to create new jobs, boost the economy and protect the climate. Hopes are now high that the tunnel will bolster the regional economy. The picture should become clearer in 2029. "The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel holds enormous economic potential for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region," Friedrich said.
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