Container terminal systems for road, rail and sea in the dual-use logistics concept of heavy-duty logistics

Dual-use container terminal systems as the backbone of civil modernization and defense logistics in Europe

In a world characterized by geopolitical upheavals, fragile supply chains, and a new awareness of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, the concept of national security is undergoing a fundamental reassessment. A state's ability to ensure its economic prosperity, the supply of its population, and its military capability increasingly depends on the resilience of its logistics networks. In this context, the term "dual-use" is evolving from a niche category of export control to a overarching strategic doctrine. This shift is not merely a technical adaptation but a necessary response to the "turning point" that requires the profound integration of civilian and military capabilities. This report analyzes how dual-use container terminal systems for road, rail, and sea are at the heart of this new strategic symbiosis. It explains how targeted, defense-policy-motivated investments can advance the long-overdue modernization of the civilian logistics infrastructure, while at the same time creating a high-performance, resilient logistics system for national and alliance defense.

Redefining Dual-Use: From Export Control to National Resilience Doctrine

Traditionally, the term "dual-use" has been closely linked to the complex field of export control. Dual-use goods are goods, software, and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This dual use carries the risk of misuse, which is why trade in such goods is subject to strict international and national controls. The central legal basis in the European Union is the Dual-Use Regulation (EU) 2021/821, which controls the export, transfer, and provision of technical assistance to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ensure respect for human rights. For companies, handling listed goods represents a significant administrative burden, as exports to third countries generally require approval from national authorities such as the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) in Germany.

However, today's security environment requires a strategic expansion of this concept. The focus is shifting from the control of individual, sensitive assets to the targeted use of entire systems – transport networks, terminals, digital platforms, and storage capacities – for civilian and military purposes. This development is the direct consequence of the recognition that national resilience and military capabilities are inextricably linked to the functionality of civilian infrastructure. The term "Double Dual-Use Logistics" (Du-Logistics²) encapsulates this new paradigm: It refers to the dual integration of transport modes (rail/road) and user groups (civilian/military). Although physical infrastructure such as a terminal or bridge is generally not listed on export control lists, its ability to transport military forces and potentially controlled military or dual-use assets, as well as its general importance for national and alliance defense, gives it a strategic dual-use character.

This reorientation of the dual-use concept is more than a semantic adjustment; it acts as a crucial political and fiscal catalyst. Germany faces two simultaneous, enormous challenges: a decades-long, massive investment backlog in its national transport infrastructure and the urgent need to comprehensively modernize the Bundeswehr following the proclaimed "turning point." The Bundeswehr's €100 billion special fund has been criticized for being spent without a coherent strategic direction. At the same time, infrastructure deficits, such as dilapidated bridges, are so severe that they directly impair military mobility and thus Germany's ability to fulfill its alliance obligations within NATO. Against this backdrop, the expanded dual-use concept becomes a powerful political instrument. It provides the strategic rationale for channeling defense funds specifically into national infrastructure projects. This justifies spending not as narrowly defined "military" items, but as broader "national resilience projects." This approach aligns the interests of the Defense, Transportation, and Economic Affairs ministries toward a common goal and counters criticism of incoherent spending by tying it to a tangible, nationally beneficial purpose. This makes the massive investments both more politically viable and strategically sound.

Germany as a central logistics hub (“Hub Deutschland”) of NATO

Germany's geostrategic location in the heart of Europe, bordering nine neighboring countries, makes it an indispensable logistical hub for NATO. This role includes providing comprehensive Host Nation Support (HNS) for allied forces transiting through the country. NATO's New Force Model envisions the ability to move massive contingents of troops – potentially up to 800,000 soldiers – and their heavy equipment across Europe at short notice, placing immense strain on German infrastructure. The establishment of NATO's Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) in Ulm, tasked with coordinating and securing military movements across the continent, further cements Germany's pivotal role.

The "hub" function means that the condition of Germany's infrastructure is no longer a purely national matter; it is a cornerstone of NATO's collective defense and deterrence capability. The ability to rapidly deploy forces to the eastern flank is a crucial element of credible deterrence. Any failure in German logistics has far-reaching consequences for the entire Alliance. Exercises like "Brave Schweppermann" impressively demonstrate the practical dependence on civilian infrastructure and local support networks to fulfill this mission.

This mission forces a paradigm shift from expeditionary to territorial logistics. For decades, the Bundeswehr's logistics were optimized for smaller, far-flung foreign missions such as Afghanistan. This "turning point" now requires a fundamental reorientation toward large-scale national and alliance defense. This shift renders previous logistical assumptions obsolete. Instead of deploying a few thousand soldiers over months, the requirement now is to move hundreds of thousands within days or weeks. This requires a completely different logistical scale and philosophy: away from customized, self-sufficient systems toward the mass mobilization and integration of national civilian capacities. For this reason, partnerships with companies like Deutsche Bahn are no longer optional, but mission-critical. The entire national transport system is becoming an integral part of the defense architecture.

The economic and ecological dividends of a dual-use strategy

A key argument for dual-use infrastructure is the ability to share high fixed costs between civilian and military users. This leads to significant cost savings compared to operating parallel, redundant systems. The modernization of rail networks and combined transport (CT) terminals to meet the requirements for transporting heavy military equipment (e.g., military load class MLC 80 for tanks) directly benefits civilian heavy-duty transport. Shifting freight traffic from road to this upgraded rail network can reduce CO2 emissions on long-distance routes by up to 80% and is five times more energy-efficient.

This creates a compelling "win-win-win" narrative. The military receives the robust infrastructure it needs. The economy benefits from more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable supply chains, increasing competitiveness. Society benefits from reduced road congestion, reduced noise pollution, and a significant contribution to national climate goals. This triple dividend is crucial to gaining the broad political and public support required for these large-scale, long-term investments.

Furthermore, the dual-use strategy acts as a risk-mitigation mechanism for the green transport transition. The transition to a more environmentally friendly, rail-based freight transport system faces significant financial and political hurdles due to the massive investments and long-term payback period. The dual-use argument introduces a new, urgent justification: national security. By linking the "green" agenda (modal shift to rail) with the "security agenda" (military mobility), projects receive a second, more immediate legitimacy. This allows policymakers to access various funding sources (e.g., from defense, climate, transport, and EU funds) and build a broader coalition of support. The security imperative thus effectively reduces the political and financial risk associated with the green transition and accelerates projects that would otherwise stagnate due to costs or lack of immediate commercial viability.

Modernization of civil logistics through defense policy integration

The strategic realignment toward dual-use logistics is not just a theoretical construct, but a pragmatic mechanism that generates concrete and measurable benefits for the civilian economy. By using military requirements and financial resources as a driving force for the modernization of national infrastructure, a positive feedback loop is created: The investments necessary for defense capability directly lead to increased efficiency, resilience, and technological sophistication in the civilian logistics sector. This section of the report highlights the concrete ways in which this symbiosis is being realized – from overcoming the investment backlog and technological knowledge transfer to establishing new, innovative partnership models.

Investment as a catalyst: Overcoming the “investment backlog”

Germany is suffering from a chronic investment backlog, particularly affecting transport infrastructure. Rail networks, bridges, and waterways are in significant need of modernization, limiting the country's economic performance and now also its military mobility. A special requirement of €30 billion has been estimated for military-relevant transport routes alone. Federal government stimulus packages have also been identified as a potential source of funding to accelerate the Bundeswehr's fleet renewal, which in turn has spillover effects for civilian logistics.

The demands of military mobility offer effective leverage for prioritizing and financing urgently needed infrastructure projects. The need to transport heavy combat vehicles requires the upgrading of bridges and railway lines to higher load classes, such as the UIC-D4. Civilian logistics companies directly benefit from this, as they can then also transport heavier or oversized goods more efficiently. The military focus on creating resilient and redundant routes also increases the overall robustness of civilian supply chains against disruptions of all kinds.

This development is leading to the establishment of a "resilience premium" in the evaluation of infrastructure projects. Traditionally, such projects were evaluated primarily based on economic indicators such as return on investment (ROI) or traffic volume. The dual-use concept introduces a new, non-financial metric: the "resilience value" or "security contribution." A project that creates a redundant east-west rail corridor, for example, may have a lower purely economic ROI than another north-south connection. However, its value for national and alliance security is immense. This forces a fundamental change in the way projects are evaluated and selected. Such a "resilience premium" can justify projects that would otherwise be rejected based on purely economic criteria. This requires the development of new, cross-ministerial evaluation frameworks that can quantify and weight this security contribution, fundamentally changing national infrastructure planning.

Technological spillover from “Logistics 4.0”

Both military and civilian logistics are currently undergoing a profound transformation, summarized under the term "Logistics 4.0." This change is being driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for forward-looking analytics and route optimization, the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time tracking, digital twins for simulations, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the decentralized production of spare parts. The modernization of the Swiss Armed Forces' ERP system to SAP S/4HANA is a vivid example of the effort to unify and standardize logistics processes to increase efficiency, even though ensuring self-sufficient operations in the event of a crisis presents a particular challenge.

Although the civilian sector leads in many areas of logistics innovation, the specific requirements of the military – particularly in the areas of security, redundancy, and functionality in contested environments (e.g., in the event of GPS failure) – driving development in certain niches. Military needs are driving the development of robust, secure data platforms and edge computing solutions to ensure functionality even in the presence of limited network connectivity. These hardened technologies and processes, once developed and field-proven, can be adopted by civilian actors who also have higher demands on the security and resilience of their supply chains, for example, when transporting high-value or sensitive goods.

Military requirements are thus accelerating the shift from a pure "efficiency" focus to a "resilience" focus in civilian technology adoption. Civilian logistics has historically optimized for "just-in-time" efficiency, often at the expense of resilience. The primary drivers of military logistics, however, are mission security, protection, and functionality under the most adverse conditions. By integrating civilian technologies, the military is demanding higher standards of security and robustness, for example, in the cybersecurity of IoT devices or the redundancy of cloud systems. This military demand is creating a market for more resilient versions of commercial technologies. As global supply chains become increasingly fragile due to pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and other crises, the civilian sector is also recognizing the growing need for greater resilience. The technologies and standards being developed to meet military dual-use requirements are therefore perfectly positioned to serve this new civilian demand. This is accelerating the overall market shift from pure efficiency to a balanced balance between efficiency and resilience.

The formation of public-private military partnerships (PPPs)

The Bundeswehr Logistics Command has launched an innovative initiative, "Future Orientation: Cooperation in Logistics," to systematically develop partnerships with the private sector. These collaborations span four key areas: material management/storage, logistical support for the deployment of forces, maintenance/manufacturing, and cooperative personnel models. This includes long-term framework agreements with companies for services such as ammunition storage, the operation of convoy rest areas, or even "shoulder-to-shoulder" maintenance at Bundeswehr facilities. Collaboration with the transport sector is essential in this regard, but faces challenges such as differing objectives, driver shortages, and contractual risk allocation.

These Public-Private-Military Partnerships (PPMPs) represent a fundamental shift in the Bundeswehr's procurement of logistics capabilities. They mark the transition from simple, transactional procurement processes to deep, long-term integration. For civilian companies, this offers predictable, long-term revenue streams and the opportunity to invest with greater security in specialized equipment and personnel training. For the Bundeswehr, it means access to the enormous capacity, flexibility, and innovative power of the commercial sector, which it could never replicate on its own.

Such partnerships act as a catalyst for a national ecosystem of skills and standards. Effective PPMPs require more than just contracts; they require a shared understanding of processes, standards, and qualifications. Civilian drivers must be trained in military convoy procedures and communications systems, while military logisticians must understand commercial operations. This necessitates the joint development of training curricula and certifications. Requiring "build-like" equipment, such as trailers, to enable interoperability with military tractors creates a de facto industry standard. Over time, this collaborative effort will create a national ecosystem of logistics professionals and equipment that is inherently dual-use. This forms a strategic reserve of skills and assets that is far more valuable and flexible than any purely military reserve and strengthens national resilience as a whole. Cooperative staffing models, such as the one with DHL Group, formalize this exchange of professionals and create a seamless transition between military service and civilian careers.

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Analysis of dual-use container terminal systems

At the heart of dual-use logistics are the terminals – those critical infrastructure hubs where road, rail, and sea transport modes converge, determining the efficiency of the entire supply chain. Their modernization and alignment with dual use are crucial for realizing the strategic symbiosis of civilian competitiveness and military operational readiness. This section of the report analyzes the specific requirements, technological potential, and operational challenges of intermodal CT terminals, maritime seaport terminals, and the groundbreaking technologies that will define their performance.

The intermodal hub: Combined Transport (CT) terminals

Combined transport terminals are the key transshipment points for the transfer of standardized load units such as containers and swap bodies between road and rail. To achieve effective dual-use capability, they must be upgraded to also handle heavy military equipment. This includes strengthening parking areas and crane systems for higher military load classes (MLCs) as well as installing Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) ramps, which allow tanks and wheeled armored vehicles to drive directly onto trains. However, many existing terminals in Germany are already reaching their capacity limits, and the German rail network suffers from a significant investment backlog and outdated signaling technology.

The modernization of combined transport terminals is a prime example of dual-use synergy. A terminal expanded for military purposes – offering higher capacities, faster turnaround times, and heavy-duty capabilities – simultaneously becomes significantly more efficient for civilian freight transport. This makes rail a more attractive option for commercial logistics and supports the desired modal shift. The operational challenge lies in implementing this dual use: Clear prioritization mechanisms must be established to ensure that military transports can be handled with priority in crisis situations without disproportionately disadvantaging civilian users in peacetime operations.

The digitalization of terminals is the key to solving this "prioritization dilemma." The core conflict in a dual-use terminal is the allocation of scarce resources: Who gets crane capacity, track access, or parking space? In a manual, analog system, this leads to a zero-sum game that provokes delays and friction between civilian and military users. A fully digitized terminal, operating with a digital twin and AI-supported time slot control, can dynamically manage this complexity. Such a system can simulate the impact of a prioritized military convoy in real time and automatically reroute and reschedule civilian containers to minimize disruptions. It can identify latent capacity and simultaneously optimize traffic flows for both user groups. Investments in digitalization, for example, in a "Smart Logistics Backbone," therefore not only serve to increase efficiency; they are the fundamental key technology that makes the operational concept of shared use and dynamic prioritization feasible in the first place.

The maritime gateway to the world: seaport terminals (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rostock, Wilhelmshaven)

German seaports are critical hubs both for the national economy and as deployment and transshipment points for NATO. The Port of Rostock is explicitly designated as a central logistics hub for NATO and the Bundeswehr. Bremerhaven and Hamburg are highlighted for their high rail traffic shares and their dual-use capability to support military mobility. Wilhelmshaven is a key energy hub (LNG) and naval base. However, all German ports suffer from a significant investment deficit, particularly in "dilapidated quay walls" and hinterland connections, which jeopardizes their competitiveness and their ability to fulfill HNS tasks.

The dual-use argument is being used to justify a proposed €15 billion investment in port modernization, which could potentially be financed from defense budgets. The logic behind this is that the investments required for military mobility – robust quay walls, heavy-duty storage areas, efficient rail connections – are the same ones needed to increase commercial competitiveness against rivals like Rotterdam and Antwerp.

At the same time, foreign investment in terminals creates a dual-use security dilemma. German ports like Hamburg have sought foreign investment, such as COSCO's participation in the Tollerort Container Terminal, to remain competitive. However, this creates a significant security risk. A terminal with foreign investment, especially by a state-owned enterprise of a systemic rival like China, poses risks to its use as a secure military logistics hub. The danger doesn't necessarily lie in openly denying use for military purposes, but rather in more subtle threats: the potential for espionage, data extraction from terminal operating systems, and strategic influence on a critical national asset. This forces a difficult political compromise between economic competitiveness, which requires investment, and national security, which demands control. It demonstrates that a comprehensive dual-use strategy cannot only address physical infrastructure but must also include robust procedures for reviewing foreign investments and binding cybersecurity mandates for all operators of critical terminals.

The technological front: Automated high-bay warehouse systems (AHRS) and digital twins

Conventional container terminals are inefficient, require a lot of space, and require unproductive restacking of containers. Automated high-bay warehouses (AHRS) or high-bay storage (HBW) offer a revolutionary alternative by storing containers vertically in a dense, automated racking system. This can triple storage capacity within the same footprint and, crucially, enables direct, predictable access to each individual container without having to move others. This technology is a core component of the proposed modernization of German seaports.

The key advantage of AHRS for dual-use applications lies in its predictability and speed. In a commercial context, this enables highly efficient just-in-time logistics. In a military context, it is transformative. The ability to access a specific container of critical military equipment within a defined, short time, regardless of its position in the stack, is a massive operational advantage over a conventional warehouse, where it might be buried under hundreds of other containers. This technology, combined with a digital twin of the port, enables the precise, rapid, and scalable handling of military and civilian cargo flows.

AHRS technology fundamentally changes the nature of strategic reserves. Traditionally, military logistics relies on dedicated, separate depots for strategic stockpiles of munitions and materiel. This is costly, inefficient, and creates large, static, and vulnerable targets. With AHRS technology, it becomes possible to integrate strategic military reserves directly into the commercial logistics flow. A certain number of containers of military supplies could be stored within a large civilian AHRS terminal. Because each container is individually and quickly accessible, these military containers can be retrieved when needed without disrupting commercial operations. This concept of "distributed, integrated reserves" is far more resilient (no single, large target), efficient (leverages existing infrastructure), and secure (military assets are "hidden" amidst a massive civilian system). It represents a complete paradigm shift in strategic stockpiling, directly enabled by the new terminal technology.

Case study: The REGIOLOG SÜD blueprint

REGIOLOG SÜD is a pilot project for a modular, automated dual-use logistics warehouse with direct road and rail connections in southern Baden. During peacetime operations, it serves civilian purposes such as e-commerce processing and supplying rural areas. In the event of a crisis or defense, it can be converted into a military depot for the storage and distribution of supplies. The project is designed as a blueprint for a future network of such regional dual-use centers (“ZivLog-D”).

REGIOLOG SÜD operationalizes the dual-use concept at the regional level. It demonstrates how a modular, scalable infrastructure can be built that is economically viable in peacetime while simultaneously providing critical capabilities for defense. Its key features – modularity, automation, and multimodal connectivity – are a microcosm of the principles that must be applied to the larger national system. The project serves as a living laboratory to test the technical, operational, and financial models of dual-use logistics before a nationwide rollout.

This concept also addresses the "last mile" problem of national resilience. Large-scale logistics often concentrate on main hubs such as seaports and national corridors. However, resilience also depends on the "last mile" – the ability to distribute essential goods (civilian and military) to decentralized, regional, and local areas, especially when primary hubs are disrupted. A network of regional hubs, as envisioned by the REGIOLOG SÜD concept, creates a decentralized, more resilient distribution system. In the event of a crisis, these regional hubs can act as buffer depots, keeping supplies closer to where they are needed and reducing dependence on a few central, vulnerable points. They can supply both deployed military units within their area of responsibility and the local civilian population, thus fulfilling a central principle of total defense. This makes the concept a crucial building block for closing the gap between strategic logistics at the national level and operational needs at the local level.

Ensuring military access and operational superiority

A modernized, dual-use logistics system is only of strategic value if seamless and prioritized access by military forces is guaranteed in the event of a crisis or defense. Physical infrastructure alone is not enough; it must be complemented by a robust legal framework, proven procedures, technological interoperability, and comprehensive security concepts. This section analyzes the critical success factors and persistent challenges that determine whether the theoretical symbiosis leads to operational superiority in practice. It involves overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, closing interoperability gaps, and securing the entire logistics chain against physical and digital threats.

Seamless access in crisis situations: From theory to practice

A functioning dual-use system requires predefined legal and procedural frameworks to ensure that the military can access civilian infrastructure and capabilities when needed. These include national plans such as OPLAN DEU 16, Host Nation Support Agreements, and service obligation laws. Exercises are crucial to test these procedures and build trust between military and civilian actors. Contracts with private companies must explicitly cover service provision in defense and alliance situations.

The primary challenge is to transition from cooperation in peacetime to prioritization in crisis. This requires clear, pre-agreed rules and trigger mechanisms. Who has the authority to declare a "military priority"? How are civilian partners compensated for disruptions? How is liability regulated if civilian assets are damaged during military operations? Without prior clarification of these issues, "seamless access" will be fraught with legal and operational friction precisely when speed is most important.

The gap in "human interoperability" is just as critical as the technical gap. Much of the focus is on technical and procedural interoperability. However, exercises like the one in Nienburg demonstrate that the biggest hurdles are often cultural and relationship-related. Civilian administrators and military commanders speak different "languages," have different planning cycles, and operate under different assumptions. Building "human interoperability" through regular joint training, liaison officers, and shared planning platforms is essential. Trust, personal relationships, and a shared understanding of each other's constraints and capabilities, built over years in peacetime, will be the true lubricant of civil-military cooperation in a high-stress crisis. This "soft" factor is a hard prerequisite for success.

The challenge of interoperability and “Military Schengen”

Military mobility is significantly hampered by a patchwork of national regulations. Bureaucratic hurdles such as differing permit requirements for cross-border transport, unharmonized customs procedures (even with forms like Form 302), and different railway gauges lead to significant delays. The "Military Schengen" initiative aims to create seamless movement corridors, but progress is slow. Interoperability must also be ensured with NATO standards and allied partners.

A modernized German terminal is of limited use if a military convoy has to wait for days at the Polish border for approval. True operational speed requires end-to-end harmonization. This is as much a political and diplomatic challenge as it is a technical one, requiring sustained efforts within both the EU (e.g., through PESCO) and NATO to align national regulations. The lack of interoperability is a critical vulnerability that undermines the entire logic of rapid reinforcement.

Inconsistent national implementations of EU/NATO guidelines create new strategic vulnerabilities. The EU and NATO set overarching goals for military mobility and dual-use. However, implementation is a national responsibility, leading to uneven progress. Some nations invest heavily while others lag behind. This creates a "the chain is only as strong as its weakest link" problem. An adversary doesn't have to attack the strongest parts of the network; they can exploit the seams and bottlenecks created by the least prepared nations. For example, Germany may have a state-of-the-art terminal system, but if a neighboring country hasn't modernized its railway lines or streamlined its customs procedures, the entire corridor is compromised. This "implementation gap" becomes a predictable and exploitable vulnerability for hybrid warfare or sabotage.

Securing the “soft underside”: Cybersecurity and hybrid threats

The increasing digitalization and interconnectedness of logistics systems creates a massive new attack surface. SCADA/ICS systems that control ports and railways, as well as the IT systems that manage logistics flows, are prime targets for cyberattacks and sabotage. The dependence on civilian infrastructure, which is often privately owned and may not meet military security standards, is a strategic vulnerability. Supply chains for critical technology components (e.g., chips, sensors) also pose a risk.

A dual-use terminal represents a concentrated point of vulnerability. A successful cyberattack could cripple both military deployments and civilian supply chains simultaneously, thus achieving a massive strategic impact. Therefore, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought; it must be a central design principle for any dual-use system (“security by design”). This requires robust, multi-layered security architectures, strict standards for all public and private partners, and regular joint cyber defense exercises involving both civilian operators and the military.

The convergence of IT and OT security in dual-use logistics requires a new, unified governance model. Traditionally, information technology (IT) security, which protects data and business systems, and operational technology (OT) security, which protects physical processes and industrial controls such as cranes and switches, were separate areas. In a digitized, automated dual-use terminal, IT and OT are deeply intertwined. A hacker attack on the IT-based Terminal Operating System (TOS) can be used to manipulate the OT-based cranes and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). This convergence blurs the lines of responsibility. Is a cyberattack on a port's crane system a matter for the company's CISO (IT), the port authority (civil infrastructure), the BSI (national cybersecurity authority), or the Bundeswehr's Cyber and Information Space Command (KdoCIR)? Effective defense requires a unified governance model that breaks down these silos. This means creating integrated civil-military cyber defense centers, shared threat intelligence sharing platforms, and joint incident response teams with the legal authority and technical capability to operate across IT/OT and civil/military boundaries. Without this, the response to an attack will be fragmented and slow.

Strategic recommendations and future outlook

The preceding analysis has highlighted the immense strategic importance, technological potential, and complex challenges of dual-use container terminal systems. The transformation to an integrated, resilient logistics network is not an end in itself, but a necessity for the economic future and the security policy capacity of Germany and Europe. However, realizing this vision requires concerted, decisive, and strategically aligned measures from politics and business. This final part of the report synthesizes the findings into concrete, action-oriented recommendations and outlines the future vision of a logistics network that serves as the backbone of European strategic autonomy.

Recommendations for policymakers

Financing & Investment: A permanent, cross-ministerial "National Resilience Fund" should be established, pooling budgetary resources from the defense, transport, and economic sectors to ensure long-term, predictable financing for dual-use infrastructure projects. EU funding instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Military Mobility, the SAFE instrument, and the European Defence Fund must be used aggressively, with national projects consistently aligned with EU criteria.

Regulatory Streamlining: The adoption of a "Military Mobility Acceleration Act" is necessary to create a uniform national legal framework for military transport. This law should eliminate licensing requirements between federal states and establish clear liability and compensation regulations for private partners. At the EU/NATO level, Germany should advocate for a binding "Military Schengen" agreement to harmonize cross-border procedures and establish a maximum processing time of 72 hours for all permits.

Governance & Security: The establishment of regional "dual-use security clusters" should be mandated, bringing together operators of critical infrastructure (KRITIS), state and federal authorities, and the Bundeswehr to develop and practice joint protection and response plans. A "National Council for Dual-Use Logistics" should be established to provide strategic oversight and coordinate priorities between ministries. Strict cybersecurity standards based on a unified IT/OT model must be made a condition for every company's participation in dual-use logistics.

Recommendations for industry (logistics & defense sector)

Strategic repositioning: Companies should proactively develop "dual-use service offerings" that integrate military security and resilience requirements into commercial logistics solutions. Investments in the necessary technologies (e.g., certified secure data platforms, heavy-duty equipment) and human resources (security-cleared personnel, military-trained drivers) are required to become a preferred partner in PPMPs.

Promote collaborative innovation: Active participation in pilot projects such as REGIOLOG SÜD and collaboration with the Bundeswehr's innovation hubs are crucial. The formation of industrial consortia to bid for large-scale, long-term PPMP contracts for the operation of entire logistics hubs (e.g., terminal operations, convoy support) should be pursued.

Develop a "Resilience as a Service" business model: Logistics companies should go beyond mere transport and storage and offer integrated solutions that guarantee supply chain resilience. This could include secure, auditable tracking, certified cybersecurity, and guaranteed capacity in the event of a crisis. This increased security can also be marketed as a premium service to high-value civilian customers.

The vision for the future: A resilient European logistics network

The end state of this transformation is a fully integrated, intelligent, and resilient European logistics network. This network is characterized by a "Smart Logistics Backbone" – a digital nervous system that connects automated, dual-use terminals and enables a seamless, real-time optimized flow of information and goods. In this system, civilian efficiency and military effectiveness are no longer opposites, but two sides of the same coin. Automated high-bay warehouses in seaports enable rapid access to strategic reserves, while regional combined transport terminals ensure flexible distribution to the hinterland.

Such a fully functional dual-use network is a cornerstone of European strategic autonomy. It reduces dependence on external actors, strengthens the industrial base, and creates the sovereign capacity to act decisively in crises – be it a military conflict, a pandemic, or – natural disaster.

In conclusion, investing in dual-use container terminal systems is not just a defense expenditure or a transport policy measure. It is a fundamental, strategic investment in the future economic prosperity, social resilience, and collective security of Germany and Europe in an increasingly uncertain world.

Markus Becker

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Head of Business Development

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Konrad Wolfenstein

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contact me under Wolfenstein ∂ Xpert.digital

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