Hamburg presents Germany's first logistics strategy 2035

"Hamburg is northern Europe's logistics hub," said Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics and Innovation. "However, digitalisation, climate change and global transformation present new challenges, but also open up opportunities. This new strategy gives us a clear compass for the future," she noted. The strategy foresees nine fields of action from digitalisation and urban logistics to securing skilled workers and developing alternative, secure supply chains. Urban logistics, for instance, is to be expanded and logistics procedures integrated into urban planning by optimising the "last mile" for courier, express and parcel services. The aim is to switch to zero-emission transport. Cybersecurity is also an issue amid digital transformation.

Around 88 per cent of logistics companies view digitalisation as an opportunity, whereas 52 per cent see it as a challenge. Smart infrastructure such as quantum computing is required at e.g., the QSH project at the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML). AI and automation could be used to optimise warehousing and planning, and a smart port strategy would boost Hamburg's pioneering role as a digital port. The strategy also foresees climate-friendly logistics, such as a circular economy  through on-demand models, in line with the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2045. The Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce, which connects established companies with startups, could be a catalyst in this field.

Megatrends such as digitalisation and sustainability are driving the transformation of logistics through new technologies, data-based management and collaborative models. One possible solution is open data, which increases transparency, predictability and efficiency. Platforms such as the Urban Data Platform Hamburg provide effective solutions. Transport and storage capacities could be shared as part of co-operative logistics. Hamburg is also establishing itself as a testing ground for innovations such as driverless vehicles and smart traffic control in real-world laboratories.

Hamburg now has an opportunity to pioneer networked, data-driven and sustainable logistics. Openness to co-operation, investment in smart technologies and setting up trusting networks along the entire value chain are crucial to this goal. The City of Hamburg aims to create low-crisis, technologically leading and sustainable structures in logistics over the next ten years.  Initial measures in the logistics strategy are to be launched this year. "We have laid the groundwork for resilient, networked, innovative and future-proof logistics, enabling the Hamburg Metropolitan Region to act as a catalyst of sustainable solutions and become a hub for international supply chains," said Kerstin Wendt-Heinrich, Chair of the Executive Board of Logistik-Initiative Hamburg e. V.
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