The project logistics industry has had a successful year. At the start of the 11th Project Logistics Forum on January 15 at the Haus der Bürgerschaft in Bremen, the Managing Director of BHV-Bremische Hafen- und Logistikvertretung, Petra Lüdeke, presented the initial results of the survey just conducted for the current "BHV Project Logistics Monitor": around half of those surveyed reported that their cargo volume had increased in 2023 compared to the previous year. For 25 percent, the volume stagnated or declined.
Respondents were much more cautious for the current year: only just under a third expect volumes to increase, just as many expect them to stagnate and 40% expect them to decline.

"Prepared for uncertain times"

"In project logistics in particular, we are all confronted with an increasing number of uncertainties," Lüdeke told the 150 participants at the fully booked specialist forum. The motto of the event, "Prepared for uncertain times", was therefore chosen quite deliberately. The aim of the specialist forum was to offer service providers and shippers an event "where we can find good and helpful solutions together. Solutions that enable us to navigate successfully through uncertain times."
Fittingly, the survey also revealed that - by far - personal commitment and innovative logistics concepts are the most important characteristics that project logistics companies can use to differentiate themselves from the competition in the market environment. "This is our great opportunity," emphasized Lüdeke.

In her speech, Bremen's port senator Kristina Vogt called for due investment in the infrastructure of northern German seaports from the federal government - "and a big gulp from the bottle". It is about the future viability of the German seaports and therefore Germany. "We want the federal government to understand that port infrastructure is a federal issue," said Vogt.

The expert forum once again offered a high level of value with numerous practical presentations from shippers and service providers as well as three panel discussions, which also addressed the importance of cargo safety from the perspective of shipping company representatives. "Looking ahead together and achieving more together, that is the tenor of our discussion rounds on the topics of digitalization, skilled workers, sustainability and attractiveness of the location," said Prof. Dr. Sven Hermann, who discussed the challenges for 2024 with industry and logistics service providers.

"The developments towards the circular economy in particular offer many opportunities for players in the so-called supreme discipline to differentiate themselves from the international competition with sustainable end-to-end solutions," explained Hermann.
BHV Executive Committee member Dr.-Ing. Patric Drewes sums up the special added value of the specialist forum as follows: "This is where we create cooperation and, above all, trust, which is still one of the most important location factors for the ports of Bremen."