Business Innovator - Xpert.Digital - Konrad Wolfenstein

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⭐️ Logistics/Intralogistics

: Logistics consulting, warehouse planning or warehouse consulting – warehouse solutions and warehouse optimization for all types of warehouses – Image: Xpert.Digital

As an industry expert in the fields of mechanical engineering, logistics and photovoltaics, I write here in my Xpert Blog about topics including the solar obligation, solar carports, photovoltaic substructures/mounting systems and solar modules.

The best way to reach me is via email at [email protected] or by phone at +49 89 89 674 804.

Warehouse consulting and optimization are important measures for maximizing the efficiency and profitability of warehouse processes. High-bay warehouses and pallet warehouses, in particular, present specific challenges and optimization potential that should be considered.

Warehouse consulting involves analyzing the customer's warehouse and providing recommendations for improving warehouse processes. This can focus on areas such as warehouse layout optimization, inventory management, warehouse organization, material flow optimization, and inventory analysis. By applying lean principles and automated systems, an optimal warehouse structure and processes can be achieved.

Warehouse optimization aims to make the warehouse more efficient and productive by, for example, increasing storage capacity, reducing throughput times, and optimizing inventory levels. Especially in high-bay warehouses, where space utilization is crucial, an optimized storage strategy can ensure the best possible use of space. In pallet warehouses, on the other hand, the correct allocation of storage locations and utilization of the storage slots are decisive.

Various technologies and solutions can be used to implement these measures, such as automated warehouse management systems, barcode scanning, pick-by-voice and RFID technology.

Professional warehouse consulting and optimization can therefore help to improve the efficiency and productivity of the warehouse, which ultimately has a positive impact on customer satisfaction and the company's bottom line.

With the introduction of the 2D matrix code by GS1, exciting times lie ahead for the logistics industry. More information here: Important information for logistics: Sunrise 2027 marks the replacement of the barcode by the Data Matrix code (2D barcode) or QR code.

▶️ “Operational elasticity”: Up to 10,000 parts per hour – This robot system puts permanently installed sorters in the shade
The future of intralogistics: mobile robots replace rigid sorters and offer operational flexibility. | Mobile robotics scales capacity proportionally to demand and reduces energy and operating costs. | Decentralized fault tolerance eliminates single points of failure and minimizes downtime risks. | Systems like Daifuku's SOTR-S enable up to 10,000 positions per hour with a small footprint. | Retrofit and downtime costs decrease because fleets can be expanded incrementally instead of requiring structural modifications. | For 3PLs, technological flexibility is now a competitive advantage and crucial for SLA compliance. | RaaS models reduce CAPEX barriers and allow for demand-driven scaling while mitigating investment risks. | The market is shifting: mobile robotics is growing significantly faster than stationary automation. | Limitations remain: stationary systems can still be economical for consistently high volumes. | Conclusion: Operational flexibility is becoming the new key performance indicator in sorting technology – time for a reassessment of logistics assets. [...]

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▶️ Neither India nor China: Why Bulgaria is now becoming Europe's most important manufacturing hub
Bulgaria is becoming Europe's most important manufacturing hub: Low wages and low taxes make it an attractive location. | Favorable energy prices and industrial infrastructure significantly reduce production costs. | Strategic ports and Corridor VIII shorten delivery times to Western Europe. | Euro adoption eliminates exchange rate risks and increases investment security. | High vertical integration: 80% of European automotive sensors come from Bulgaria. | EU membership, Schengen, and the rule of law ensure system compatibility. | Stable GDP growth and low national debt strengthen the economic foundation. | Risks such as skills shortages and institutional shortcomings remain to be considered. | Bulgaria is particularly suitable for energy- and labor-intensive manufacturing as well as buffer storage. | Conclusion: Nearshoring to Bulgaria combines cost advantages with European legal certainty and logistical benefits. [...]

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▶️ From the Adriatic to the Black Sea: Will Corridor VIII solve the EU's biggest infrastructure problem?
Corridor VIII connects the Adriatic and Black Seas and remains unfinished despite its great strategic importance. | For 30 years, construction progress has been stalled due to bureaucracy, bilateral disputes, and insufficient coordination. | | A continuous rail network would fundamentally transform trade, logistics, and mobility in the Western Balkans. | | The EU now views the project not only as a development project but also as a security infrastructure project. | | Political tensions between Bulgaria and North Macedonia are a key obstacle to completion. | EU funds, EIB and EBRD loans, and NATO interest could accelerate financing and implementation. | Completed ports like Varna and Burgas could attract new trade flows as Eurasian hubs. | | The security policy reassessment since 2022 increases the pressure to strengthen Corridor VIII as a NATO-relevant route. | A completed corridor would strengthen Europe's independence from Bosporus routes and expand geopolitical options. A continuous rail link is realistically not expected until the early 2030s at the earliest, once political and financial barriers are overcome. [...]

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▶️ Ingenious space-saving trick: How an Austrian company suddenly turned freight transport upright
LTW Intralogistics is revolutionizing combined transport with vertical high-bay warehouses that save space and accelerate handling. | | The vertical terminal solution reduces space requirements, emissions, and noise, making rail transport suitable for urban environments. | Direct rail connection within the high-bay warehouse enables simultaneous loading and unloading of trains and trucks. | | Fully automated storage and retrieval systems and redundant systems guarantee high availability and operational reliability. | Energy-efficient supercapacitor regenerative braking significantly reduces consumption and power consumption. | LIOS software controls material flow in real time and ensures transparent, reliable logistics processes. | | The concept opens up inner-city hubs and reactivates disused rail sidings in a decentralized manner. | The Bad Hersfeld pilot project is testing the scalability and market readiness of the rXp InterregioCargo system until 2030. | | Doppelmayr quality and a global manufacturing infrastructure enable robust, scalable solutions. | If successful, this vertical logistics system could significantly advance Europe's modal shift goals and sustainable mobility. [...]

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▶️ Mega-project “ReBirth 28” in Burgas on the Black Sea: How Bulgaria is suddenly becoming the most important hub of world trade
The mega-project "ReBirth 28" in Burgas, with its 15.5-meter deep-water quay, is creating new capacity and making Bulgaria a strategic Black Sea hub. | With €85 million in investment and EU funding, a modern, low-emission intermodal terminal has been built. | | Direct rail connections and track upgrades are improving hinterland access and accelerating the Central Corridor. | As an EU and NATO member, Bulgaria is positioning itself as a reliable gateway between Asia and Europe. | | Competition with Constanta remains fierce, but specialization and complementarity offer realistic growth opportunities. | | Risks include the incomplete Corridor VIII connection and the ongoing instability in the Black Sea region. | Sofia is seeking strategic partners, not pure privatization, and is focusing on secure investors with access to freight. | The Central Corridor is growing rapidly and offers diversification options compared to northern routes. Further investment in Varna and the rail network is crucial to unlocking its full potential. | Read the analysis on xpert.digital about the opportunities, risks, and geopolitical significance of Bulgaria. [...]

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▶️ The new world factory? Why the West is now investing billions in India
India is becoming the new global factory, attracting billions in investment from the West. | With programs like PLI and PM Gati Shakti, the country is systematically expanding production and infrastructure. | Apple, Foxconn, and Tata are driving electronics manufacturing forward, making India a smartphone hub. | The pharmaceutical industry is strengthening its role as the "world's pharmacy" and reducing dependence on APIs. | The "China Plus One" strategy is diversifying global supply chains to India's advantage. | Free trade agreements with the EU, the US, and partners are promoting market and investment access. | Semiconductor and solar projects show great ambition but face cost and capacity challenges. | Logistics reforms are reducing transport costs, but multimodal bottlenecks remain a challenge. | Defense and resource diplomacy are strengthening India's strategic autonomy. | The future opportunity is great, but the path to becoming a technological superpower remains fraught with risks and the need for reform. [...]

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▶️ Trans-Caspian Nearshoring and Bulgaria: Why global supply chains need to be rethought in Europe
Cargo sous terrain (CST) tells the story of a vision for underground logistics that would relieve congestion on highways and massively reduce CO₂ emissions. Despite its technical feasibility, the 30-billion-euro project failed due to financing and political hurdles. Planned tunnels, hubs, and autonomous systems were intended to enable a seamless, climate-neutral supply chain. The purely privately financed model met with resistance and intimidated institutional investors. Legal regulations such as the German Underground Logistics Act (UGüTG) came too late to provide legal certainty. Life cycle assessments showed significant potential for savings in emissions, noise, and traffic congestion. A later technological shift to cable car systems was intended to reduce costs but further delayed the project. The failure reveals structural problems with megaprojects: risk allocation, cost overruns, and political uncertainties. Nevertheless, CST leaves behind valuable planning knowledge and an important debate on future infrastructure financing. Underground logistics remains a realistic option—it simply needs suitable institutional and financial frameworks. [...]

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▶️ Cargo sous terrain – The underground logistics revolution: Why Europe's most revolutionary logistics project failed
Cargo sous terrain (CST) tells the story of a vision for underground logistics that would relieve congestion on highways and massively reduce CO₂ emissions. Despite its technical feasibility, the 30-billion-euro project failed due to financing and political hurdles. Planned tunnels, hubs, and autonomous systems were intended to enable a seamless, climate-neutral supply chain. The purely privately financed model met with resistance and intimidated institutional investors. Legal regulations such as the German Underground Logistics Act (UGüTG) came too late to provide legal certainty. Life cycle assessments showed significant potential for savings in emissions, noise, and traffic congestion. A later technological shift to cable car systems was intended to reduce costs but further delayed the project. The failure reveals structural problems with megaprojects: risk allocation, cost overruns, and political uncertainties. Nevertheless, CST leaves behind valuable planning knowledge and an important debate on future infrastructure financing. Underground logistics remains a realistic option—it simply needs suitable institutional and financial frameworks. [...]

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▶️ The logistics trap: Why more and more ships are not solving our supply chain problem
The logistics crisis of 2026 explains why it's not ships, but a lack of space and complexity that are choking supply chains. | Horizontal expansion is often impossible, which is why the third dimension with container high-bay racking is the strategic answer. | AI and digital twins increase space utilization and throughput per square meter, instead of just reducing costs. | Megaships create volume peaks that overload yards and cause expensive shuffling to explode. | Nearshoring shifts problems to regional networks and increases the need for intermediate storage and terminals. | Geopolitics, sanctions risks, and route changes such as bypassing the Suez Canal drive up transit times and costs. | For Germany, this means: the export model is under pressure, more resilience and strategic land-use planning are needed. | Only a few providers have mastered heavy-lift intralogistics; technology partnerships are becoming a competitive advantage. | Just-in-case instead of just-in-time leads to more buffer stocks—and thus to further space requirements. Conclusion: Investments in vertical warehousing, standardization, and cooperation are essential for ports to remain functional as critical infrastructure. [...]

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▶️ France's container logistics in transition: Intermodal transport units and vertical storage
Container high-bay warehouses promise to alleviate the US container chaos through vertical compaction. | Fully automated tower systems stack containers up to 16 layers high, saving up to 70% of space. | Electrified cranes and shuttle systems enable low-emission, 24/7 operation. | Direct access to each container eliminates time-consuming restacking and increases efficiency. | High steel tariffs, crane dependencies, and union disputes are delaying implementation in the US. | International reference projects like BOXBAY in Dubai and London provide operational success data. | Billions in US investment and partnerships with manufacturers could accelerate market ramp-up. | Social policy solutions and retraining programs are crucial for acceptance among dockworkers. | The technology also offers climate benefits through electrification and space savings. | The first US pilot plants, which will determine the competitiveness of ports, are expected by 2030. [...]

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▶️ Container high-bay warehouses in the USA: Will this radical high-bay idea solve the US container chaos? Up to 70% less space required
Container high-bay warehouses promise to alleviate the US container chaos through vertical compaction. | Fully automated tower systems stack containers up to 16 layers high, saving up to 70% of space. | Electrified cranes and shuttle systems enable low-emission, 24/7 operation. | Direct access to each container eliminates time-consuming restacking and increases efficiency. | High steel tariffs, crane dependencies, and union disputes are delaying implementation in the US. | International reference projects like BOXBAY in Dubai and London provide operational success data. | Billions in US investment and partnerships with manufacturers could accelerate market ramp-up. | Social policy solutions and retraining programs are crucial for acceptance among dockworkers. | The technology also offers climate benefits through electrification and space savings. | The first US pilot plants, which will determine the competitiveness of ports, are expected by 2030. [...]

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▶️ Fully automated honeycomb warehouse in XXL format: When the warehouse threatens production – The underestimated risk of manual intralogistics
LTW's fully automated XXL honeycomb storage system ensures Getzner's production and eliminates manual risks. | An 80-ton stacker crane moves 31-meter-long PU mats weighing up to 13.5 tons precisely and quickly. | | Storage within 15–30 minutes protects material quality and prevents production downtime. | | Temperature and humidity control guarantee reproducible curing processes and consistent product quality. | Utilization increases from 30 percent to full capacity, boosting space efficiency and throughput. | | Custom load carriers and extensive testing ensure surface flatness and durability under real-world conditions. | System availability exceeding 99 percent minimizes downtime risks and safeguards global delivery capabilities. | The collaborative implementation between Getzner and LTW demonstrates how cooperation leads to the success of complex, specialized projects. | This project positions LTW as a specialist for heavy-duty long-goods solutions and opens up international markets. For manufacturing companies, the honeycomb storage system demonstrates that intralogistics is a strategic competitive advantage. [...]

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▶️ “The Middle Corridor” – the Eurasian supply chain: How Kazakhstan could become the biggest winner of global crises
Kazakhstan is developing the "Middle Corridor" into a strategic Eurasian transit axis, investing billions. | Geopolitical disruptions such as the war in Ukraine and attacks in the Red Sea make the route a crucial alternative between China and Europe. | The Trans-Caspian Link combines rail and ferry traffic and requires massive port and shipping investments. | | Kazakhstan is doubling its track capacity and cooperating with China, Europe, and regional partners to create a multimodal network. | The planned triple IPO and international financing commitments are intended to secure sustainable growth. | | Risks remain: fragmented regulations, differing track gauges, bureaucracy, and the effects of climate change on the Caspian Sea. | New ferry fleets and terminal expansions are intended to alleviate the Caspian bottleneck and stabilize transit times. | Kazakhstan is pursuing a multi-vector strategy and balancing cooperation with China, Russia, and the West. | Forecasts predict strong volume growth, but for now, the Middle Corridor will remain a complement to, rather than a replacement for, established routes. For investors and logistics players, Kazakhstan is therefore the geopolitically relevant hub that is reshaping supply chains. [...]

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▶️ Driverless transport systems and autonomous transport robots: Which robot will decide the future of your company?
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are shaping the future of your intralogistics. | AMR solutions save energy and can significantly reduce power consumption compared to manual processes. | Choosing between AGVs and AMRs is a strategic decision regarding efficiency, flexibility, and payload requirements. | The AMR market is growing rapidly and offers high growth and ROI opportunities. | Applications range from e-commerce fulfillment and hospitals to manufacturing. | Hybrid solutions combine the strengths of AGVs for heavy loads and AMRs for flexible transport. | AI, 5G, and swarm robotics are driving the next stage of fleet intelligence innovation. | Profitability depends on picks, operational utilization, and integration costs; amortization can be short. | Automation reduces errors, space requirements, and carbon footprint—important for ESG goals. | A data-driven strategy and employee training are crucial to ensuring competitiveness. [...]

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▶️ Mega-ports & green tugboats: India's Amrit Kaal master plan for maritime supremacy
India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Strategy mobilizes US$135 billion for mega-ports and green tugboats. | 216 new ships by 2047 and massive shipyard subsidies are intended to strengthen the national merchant fleet. | Green transformation is at the heart of the strategy: battery, methanol, and hydrogen solutions for ports and tugboats. | India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai marks a geopolitical signal for new supply chain architectures. | International corporations and state-owned PSUs form a financial triad that mitigates investment risks. | Europe's SMEs risk missing the window of opportunity if they do not act in a coordinated manner now. | Technologies from automation, fleet management, and green propulsion are in high demand for export opportunities. | Infrastructure investments have strong multiplier effects and are expected to create millions of new jobs. | Risks remain: Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are not guaranteed investments; approval and governance hurdles can cause delays. | Those who deliver early set standards and secure competitive advantages in a market of the decade. [...]

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▶️ Global trade hubs: Why the Gulf States are becoming the new axis of global supply chains – and why this is no coincidence
The Gulf states are building gigantic ports and rail corridors, becoming the new axis of global supply chains. | The crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is accelerating investment in alternative east-west and north-south routes. | Saudi Arabia's Landbridge and the GCC rail projects are linking ports, industrial centers, and neighboring countries. | Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, and cross-border corridors are creating new transport redundancy and shorter transit times. | Pipelines such as the East-West Petroleum Line and Habshan-Fujairah are reducing dependence on Hormuz and securing energy exports. | Oman's ports of Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah are developing into strategic one-stop logistics platforms. | Jebel Ali, DP World, and modern free trade zones are driving trade, container handling, and industrialization. | Projects such as IMEC and the Development Road are linking the Gulf with Europe, India, and Turkey, shifting geopolitical centers of power. Despite growth, financing, political coordination, and the risk of attack remain key residual risks for the infrastructure offensive. | Our report analyzes strategies, projects, and their impact on Europe's economy—concise, data-rich, and future-oriented. [...]

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▶️ The logistical miracle in the Gulf: How Saudi Arabia and the UAE circumvent the Hormuz blockade – trucks and ports in turbo mode
| Saudi Arabia and the UAE are circumventing the Hormuz blockade with massive truck convoys and new port routes. | Within weeks, companies mobilized thousands of trucks and improvised logistics networks. | Makeshift port infrastructure on the Red Sea enabled continued phosphate and raw material exports. | The diversion secures vital fertilizer deliveries and prevents an even greater food crisis. | Higher prices and shortages highlight the economic costs and geopolitical opportunities of these detours. | | Massive investment plans and new logistics hubs are accelerating the region's strategic reorientation. | The crisis reveals the vulnerability of global supply chains and is driving diversification strategies. | | Maaden and Partners position Saudi Arabia as a key supplier of critical raw materials and rare earth elements. | Short-term inefficiencies are offset by crisis premiums, but in the long term, unequal burdens arise for importing countries. | The lesson: Resilience, infrastructure flexibility, and governmental capacity are crucial for future security of supply. [...]

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▶️ India builds ports, Europe supplies the operating system – who really holds the upper hand in this division of labor?
Europe is digitally and sustainably upgrading India's ports and shaping the port operating system of the future. | Port Community Systems connect ports, authorities, and logistics partners in real time, increasing efficiency and transparency. | Green technologies such as shore power and low-emission terminal fleets reduce costs and CO2 emissions in the long term. | The EU-India Free Trade Agreement and the TTC create a framework for technology and trade cooperation. | Vizhinjam demonstrates how automation works in India, but scaling and adaptation remain necessary. | German and European SMEs offer integrated system solutions from hardware to training and maintenance. | Data sovereignty, IP protection, and local know-how development are crucial for a fair partnership. | Cooperation can create win-win situations but carries risks of technological dependency and political volatility. | Pilot projects, joint funds, and training programs are key to operationalization. | A coordinated EU strategy can transform Europe from a silent pacesetter to a strategic partner in India's maritime high-tech transformation. [...]

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▶️ Battle of the North Sea ports: How Hamburg is outperforming Rotterdam and Antwerp in the India trade
Hamburg's port is becoming the central European gateway to India and is experiencing rapid growth in container traffic. | The port strategy focuses on frequent liner services, RoRo, and project cargo for complex supply chains. | Knowledge transfer and partnerships with Indian ports are driving climate protection, digitalization, and terminal transformation. | Record throughput of around 290,000 TEU in 2025 marks a strategic realignment away from China. | The EU-India Free Trade Agreement provides additional momentum for machinery exports and logistics services. | Hamburg's strength lies in specialized services, strong industrial connections, and a high-performance hinterland network. | Port Community Systems and digital integration reduce transit times and make Hamburg more attractive to Indian shippers. | Joint Green Corridor projects promote climate-neutral shipping routes and technology transfer. | Risks remain: regulation, land scarcity, and political uncertainties require coordinated measures. | It is crucial to expand capacity, digitalization, and sustainability now to remain a long-term winner in the Indian market. [...]

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▶️ Why “combined transport” is saving our supply chains: Europe’s freight transport at its limit
Combined transport connects rail and road, securing Europe's supply chains. | | It saves CO₂ and energy by bundling long distances on rail. | | However, terminal bottlenecks and outdated infrastructure threaten efficiency and climate targets. | | Fully automated container high-bay warehouses offer radical space efficiency and higher capacities. | Automation eliminates restacking and increases throughput and reliability. | Electrically powered systems enable decarbonization and the integration of renewable energies. | Digital networking creates transparency, eFTI compatibility, and improved planning certainty. | High investment costs and IT risks require stable funding and legal frameworks. | For a reliable shift to rail, terminal expansion and political support are crucial. | With the right combination of technology, investment, and regulation, combined transport will become the key to more resilient, climate-friendly supply chains. [...]

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⭐️ Logistics/Intralogistics

▶️ “Operational elasticity”: Up to 10,000 parts per hour – This robot system puts permanently installed sorters in the shade

▶️ Neither India nor China: Why Bulgaria is now becoming Europe's most important manufacturing hub

▶️ From the Adriatic to the Black Sea: Will Corridor VIII solve the EU's biggest infrastructure problem?

▶️ Ingenious space-saving trick: How an Austrian company suddenly turned freight transport upright

▶️ Mega-project “ReBirth 28” in Burgas on the Black Sea: How Bulgaria is suddenly becoming the most important hub of world trade

▶️ The new world factory? Why the West is now investing billions in India

▶️ Trans-Caspian Nearshoring and Bulgaria: Why global supply chains need to be rethought in Europe

▶️ Cargo sous terrain – The underground logistics revolution: Why Europe's most revolutionary logistics project failed

▶️ The logistics trap: Why more and more ships are not solving our supply chain problem

▶️ France's container logistics in transition: Intermodal transport units and vertical storage

▶️ Container high-bay warehouses in the USA: Will this radical high-bay idea solve the US container chaos? Up to 70% less space required

▶️ Fully automated honeycomb warehouse in XXL format: When the warehouse threatens production – The underestimated risk of manual intralogistics

▶️ “The Middle Corridor” – the Eurasian supply chain: How Kazakhstan could become the biggest winner of global crises

▶️ Driverless transport systems and autonomous transport robots: Which robot will decide the future of your company?

▶️ Mega-ports & green tugboats: India's Amrit Kaal master plan for maritime supremacy

▶️ Global trade hubs: Why the Gulf States are becoming the new axis of global supply chains – and why this is no coincidence

▶️ The logistical miracle in the Gulf: How Saudi Arabia and the UAE circumvent the Hormuz blockade – trucks and ports in turbo mode

▶️ India builds ports, Europe supplies the operating system – who really holds the upper hand in this division of labor?

▶️ Battle of the North Sea ports: How Hamburg is outperforming Rotterdam and Antwerp in the India trade

▶️ Why “combined transport” is saving our supply chains: Europe’s freight transport at its limit

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