Regiolog Süd | Dual-us logistics infrastructure Pilot project: for civil resilience and military operational readiness

Published on: April 29, 2025 / update from: April 29, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Regiolog Süd | Dual-us logistics infrastructure Pilot project: for civil resilience and military operational readiness-Image: Xpert.digital

Rail meets street: Regiolog Süd optimizes regional logistics-dual-use logistics centers ("Zivlog-D")

Crisis -proof and multifunctional: the vision of Regiolog Süd

The Regiolog Süd project is designed as a pioneering pilot project that is intended to demonstrate the practical feasibility and added value of a strategic concept for a dual-us logistics infrastructure. In essence, the construction and operation of a state-of-the-art, regional, automated high-bay warehouse in the South Baden region is located. This camp is intended to receive a direct connection to the rail network and the road traffic network and serve as a multifunctional system, which can make a decisive contribution in both peace and defense and defense cases.

Civil care and regional economic development

In peace times, the camp is supposed to concentrate on the reliable care of rural regions with goods of daily needs. This includes food, drugstore, household goods and other products that are essential for daily life. A special focus is also on the provision of medical products such as medication, association material and medical devices to improve health care in rural areas.

In addition, the camp should play an important role in the handling of e-commerce orders. Thanks to the quick and efficient picking and sending goods, local companies can increase their online sales and reach new customers. This contributes to strengthening local economic structures and creating new jobs.

Military commitment and logistical support

In the event of a crisis or defense, the warehouse can be quickly and flexibly converted or scaled into a military logistics depot. It then serves to store, the envelope and the distribution of military material, equipment and supply goods. This enables quick and efficient support of the armed forces and contributes to maintaining the willingness to defend.

Modularity and adaptability

An essential feature of the project is its modular structure. This enables flexible adaptation to the specific needs of the region and changing security policy developments. The warehouse can be expanded or reduced as required, and the storage capacity can be adapted to the respective requirements.

Blueprint for a comprehensive network

It is a superior goal to establish Regiolog Süd as a "blueprint" for similar projects in other regions of Germany and potentially internationally. By creating a standardized and proven concept, the basis for a comprehensive network of dual-use logistics centers ("Zivlog-D") is to create that strengthens the resilience of the German economy and the country's defense ability.

Real laboratory for innovation and knowledge

The primary value of the pilot project lies not only in the immediate service provision, but also in its function as a real laboratory. It is intended to provide valuable findings about the technical integration of different systems (automation, rail, security), the design of the operational interface between civil and military use, the economic load capacity of the dual-use model, the effectiveness of the security concepts and the navigability of the complex regulatory and conveyor framework.

These learning experiences are of crucial importance for the validation of the overall concept and its later scaling. The systematic evaluation of the knowledge gained in the pilot project can identify best practice and eliminate weaknesses. This enables continuous improvement in the concept and a successful transfer to other regions.

Location analysis: South Baden as the ideal location

The South Baden region was identified as a potential location for the pilot project, in particular the Ortenaukreis or the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald. This region, which belongs to the regional association of southern Upper Rhine, has a number of characteristics that predestine it for such a project:

Infrastructural connection

The region is crossed by the central north-south axis of the Rhine Valley, both through the A5 motorway and through the Rhine Valley. The latter is a main traffic artery for freight traffic and is currently being massively expanded to increase capacities. There are several freight traffic points and connections, and the potential for reactivating disabled routes is examined. The proximity to an existing Rola terminal is crucial, which facilitates the rail link intended in the concept for truck transport. The combination of powerful rail, Rola access and motorway connection offers the necessary multimodal connectivity for civil distribution and military relocations.

Regional needs

South Baden comprises extensive rural areas that are faced with the typical challenges of basic care. The Regiolog Süd project can make an important contribution to improving the quality of life in these areas by ensuring reliable care with goods and services.

Logistic and military closeness

The region has an established logistics industry with numerous companies. At the same time, important locations of the Bundeswehr are located in or near the region, which facilitates integration into military logistics chains.

System design: components, technology and dual-use functionality

The proposed design for Regiolog Süd includes several core components that are supposed to interact synergetically:

High bay warehouse (HRL)

The heart of the system, based on automation technology (shelf control units, conveyor technology). It serves to store pallets or other loading units and enables quick and efficient picking of goods.

Container buffer

An area for temporary storage and the envelope of ISO containers. This enables the flexible handling of container turning and integration into intermodal transport chains.

Rail ramp

Interface to the rail network, designed for loading and unloading freight trains and Rola units. This enables the environmentally friendly transport of large quantities of goods and the connection to the European rail network.

Flex ramp

Mobile rail ramp, which can be used quickly, flexibly and regardless of location. It enables spontaneous load scenarios and expands the possible uses in combined traffic.

Liefing zone (street)

Area for the arrival and departure of truck, including docking gates for the goods handling. This enables quick and efficient handling of truck traffic and the connection to the regional road network.

Technology center

The energy supply (potentially with photovoltaics and storage systems for increasing self -sufficiency and resilience) and central control technology. This ensures reliable and energy -efficient operation of the warehouse.

The dual-use functionality is achieved through the flexible use of these components. The high -bay warehouse can be used for the storage of civilian goods as well as for the storage of military material. The container buffer can be used for the envelope of civilian containers and the envelope of military containers. The rail ramp can be used for loading civil freight trains and for the loading of military freight trains. And the delivery zone can be used for the delivery of civilian trucks as well as for the delivery of military trucks.

The central technical challenge

The central technical challenge lies in the design of the interfaces between these components and systems. This applies to both the physical transitions (e.g. from the conveyor technology to the rail ramp) and the digital links (e.g. between civil WMS, external e-commerce platforms, the transport management system for rail and potential military logistics and management systems). The modularity must also extend to these interfaces in order to enable flexible adaptation and later extensions. The safety of these interfaces, especially against cyber attacks, is of outstanding importance.

The importance of cyber security

Today, cyber security is a decisive factor for the success of every project, especially for a dual-use project such as Regiolog Süd. The systems and data of the warehouse must be protected against unauthorized access, manipulation and sabotage. This requires the use of the latest security technologies and procedures as well as continuous monitoring and improvement in security measures.

Challenges and opportunities

Regiolog Süd is a demanding project associated with a number of challenges. This includes the complexity of technical integration, the need for close cooperation between different actors and compliance with strict security requirements.

At the same time, the project also offers great opportunities. It can make an important contribution to strengthening the resilience of the German economy, to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to increase the country's ability to defend. Thanks to the successful implementation of Regiolog Süd, Germany can take a pioneering role in the development of dual-use logistics infrastructures and gain valuable experience for other countries.

Regiolog Süd: An innovative pilot project for Germany's resilience as the key to defense ability

Regiolog Süd is a pioneering pilot project that has the potential to fundamentally change the logistics landscape in Germany. The combination of civilian and military requirements can create added value for society as a whole. However, the successful implementation of the project requires close cooperation between different actors, careful planning and continuous monitoring and improvement in processes. If these requirements are met, Regiolog Süd can become a lighthouse project for dual-use logistics infrastructures and make an important contribution to strengthening Germany's resilience and defense ability.
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