Munich’s transport logistic concluded today with new record values, including increases in exhibitors and visitors. The show ran from June 4 to 7, 2019. Top topics were the trade war between the United States and China and the shortage of drivers.

“Transport logistic has confirmed its role as the world's largest intermodal logistics hub. There were 2,374 exhibitors, an increase of 10%, and around 64,000 visitors, an increase of 5%,” said Stefan Rummel, managing director of Messe München. The trade fair has grown by one hall to ten halls and has once again become significantly more international, an increase of 3 percentage points to 56 percent for exhibitors and also by 3 percentage points to 47 percent for visitors.

“We saw strong growth from China, where the number of exhibitors almost doubled by 30 new ones to 64,” Rummel said. “Chinese companies are increasingly looking for cooperation partners in Europe as part of the Silk Road Initiative.” The driver shortage was also one of the dominant topics. In addition to more attractive working conditions, artificial intelligence could help in the long term; this should make logistics chains more transparent and efficient overall.

The major challenges facing the industry were discussed at the opening of a high-profile round panel discussion. “We need to make the growing traffic flows more efficient and affordable as well as environmentally and climate-friendly,” said Andreas Scheuer, Germany’s Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. In reference to the global economy, DHL head Frank Appel expressed restrained optimism, “even though current relations between governments in the US and China are not conducive at the moment.” But: “Goods find their way despite customs disputes.”

The situation is currently also challenging for air freight, "which is a very volatile business. We have to be open to options and think in the long term,” said Dorothea von Boxberg, managing director, product and sales at Lufthansa Cargo. Alexander Doll, director of finance, freight transport and logistics at Deutsche Bahn, distinguished between global and intra-regional trade flows: “We still see decent growth in the latter.” And Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, explained that his company is well prepared: “We have been an active driver of consolidation in our industry over the past five years, enabling us to strengthen our overall market position significantly.”

At transport logistic 2019, there were 2,374 exhibitors from 63 countries, an increase of 10% (2017: 2,162). Around 64,000 visitors from 125 countries attended, an increase of 5% (2017: 60,726), including around 30.000 came from abroad. The exhibition covered 10 halls and an outdoor area, totaling 125,000 square meters of exhibition space.

The top ten exhibitor countries after Germany were the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Poland, China, Austria, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. New exhibitors included Fercam, Neutral Air Cargo, Hong Kong COSCO Shipping Lines, China Asia Shipping and Yuxinou Logistics. There were 25 international joint pavilions, including from Sri Lanka, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey.