Germany: Intermodal Europe 2011 Set to Help Operators Plan for the Future

The last year has been a turbulent time for the international logistics industry and has forced cargo owners, logistics handlers and many other key stakeholders to evaluate their operations. Today, efficiency and productivity are more important than ever before and businesses are looking at implementing new practices and technologies that ensure costs are reduced and output is increased.

Intermodal Europe, the most important annual event for the container industry, returns to Hamburg this year and will run from 29 November – 1 December. The leading exhibition and conference will provide shipping lines, cargo owners, freight forwarders and logistics operators with all the tools necessary to plan for a successful future.

This year’s exhibition will provide visitors with opportunities to network and do business with more than 120 leading manufacturers and service suppliers operating across road, rail and sea, whilst a high level, free-to-attend, conference will cover some of the most pertinent issues facing the industry.

Last year, more than 3,400 industry professionals attended the event, making it the largest dedicated intermodal event in mainland Europe. Intermodal Europe 2011 will include over 50 conference sessions which will cover key trends and provide visitors with valuable market information. Additionally, the TIGER Project Conference will take an in-depth look rail infrastructure in Europe and the World Port Strategy Forum will present four years of research into how best to optimise port logistics.

Sophie Ahmed, Event Director of Intermodal Europe, commented: “Intermodal Europe is one of the most in-depth events in the logistics calendar and is now an essential diary date for anyone involved in the movement of a container. Not only will visitors be able to see the latest innovations and technologies which can improve their service, the conference will also offer an extensive series of seminars and mini-conferences, lead by industry figures operating at the sharp end of container transport. The insight and expertise these individuals can offer will provide a ‘money can’t buy’ look into the techniques used by the largest companies, as well as illustrating their take on how the industry can continue to grow and develop.”

See the latest developments

As the leading event of its kind in Europe, Intermodal Europe’s exhibition floor will feature more than 120 exhibitors from around the globe. Visitors will be provided with the opportunity to view the latest product innovations, gather market information and develop strategic partnerships, all under one roof.

Many of the industry’s top players, including Konecranes, CAI International, Cargotec, Daiken and Thermo King, have already confirmed their presence at this year’s show and will be showcasing products that can help improve efficiency and productivity through intermodal industry.

During the event, Carrier Transicold (Stand B12) will be unveiling its latest solution that features a revolutionary breakthrough that is set to change the world of container refrigeration. The leading refrigerated transport company will also be showcasing its popular PrimeLINE, ThinLINE and PowerLINE products.

Langh Ship Cargo Solutions (Stand C70) will be showcasing its 20’ Hard Open Top Cradle Container equipped with load bars for railroad transports. Whilst Real Asset Management (Stand E46) will present its latest innovation, Depot4000, at the show, designed to help box and tank lessors eliminate the problem of verifying depot and vendor invoices against their data.

Elsewhere, Klinge Corporation (stand F62) will be presenting its new line of Quick Thaw Units, which are produced in conjunction with Morep Food Process Systems Limited. The company’s CBU-30 system is used to blast freeze seafood and meat products, which can then be stored in the company’s SDF-60 or NMF-371 containerised systems at temperatures down to -60C.

Tydenbrooks Security Products Group (stand F04) will also showcase its new, ISO 17712 and C-TPAT compliant, Alum-a-Loc which has been developed in response to the need for increased security on intermodal logistics shipments across Europe. Whilst, Florens Container Services (stand C42), will showcase its fleet of dry, special and refrigerated containers that are available to lease.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about System Planning Corporation’s (Stand C58) new GlobalTrak Versa Satellite-Enabled Tracking Intrusion Detection (SETID) Tag that offers cargo carriers and transporters a new dimension of flexibility and cost effectiveness for Enhanced In-Transit Visibility (E-ITV) requirements. And EPSa, will showcase its newest solutions which provide logistics and security providers with specialised telematics, focusing on driver safety, as well as high-valued and sensitive projects.

What’s more, representatives from Konecranes will be on-hand to show visitors its latest lifting solutions, including its Ship-To-Shore and RTG cranes. Recently the company received a large order from JSSC Klaipedos Smelte, Lithuania, which will be delivered to the Port of Klaipeda in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Conference programme – Debating the issues that matter most

The free-to-attend conference sessions will provide attendees with a practical insight into how they can tackle common obstacles and improve their service. The conference sessions will feature detailed industry insight from experts and will explore the challenges faced by the intermodal industry throughout Europe. Attendees will gain an insight into the developing role of rail and road in intermodal operations from ports, with sessions focusing on the economic, social and environmental benefits of rail freight both nationally and internationally.

The opening session, chaired by Mike Garratt, Director of Box Trade Intelligence, will focus on how to create the right environment for the intermodal business model to develop and flourish. It will start with an exclusive interview with Søren Toft, Vice-President of Operations at Maersk Line, who will offer a unique insight from one of the largest transport suppliers in the world. Following the shipping line’s industry changing announcement in June, Mr Toft will discuss the different responsibilities in the logistics chain, evaluating changes required in infrastructure and pinpoint the most effective customer service level.

One of the highlights of day one will be ‘The Great Rail Debate: Maximising access to the European rail infrastructure’ session. The Past President of the European Rail and Freight Association, Lord Tony Berkeley, as well as Nicolette van der Jagt, the Secretary General of the European Shippers Council, and Mats Nyblom, the CEO of Hector Rail, will, amongst other things, explore policy and industry changes that support the shift to rail. The group of industry leaders will also discuss rail-freight strategy in order to better engage with terminal operators.

Visitors are also invited to attend the European launch of The World Port Strategy Forum. The findings of the Global Institute of Logistics’ (GIL) four-year study into the optimisation of logistics in ports will be presented on the afternoon of day one. During the session, Kieran Ring, CEO of GIL, Rafa Sapina of the Valencia Port Authority, and Heinrich Goller, Managing Director of HHLA Container-Terminal, will present best practice case studies which will offer business leaders a chance to find out more about the operations at some of Europe’s leading container terminals.

Additionally, the second annual TIGER Conference will take place on day two and will cover the evolution of traffic within Europe, as well as providing information on how to optimise transport between ports. A series of industry figures from leading container suppliers and transporters, including ContShip Italia, Siemens AG and KMS Kombiverkehr, will contribute throughout.

On day three, Intermodal Europe will host a special session dedicated to the Baltic region. Visitors will be presented with the latest data and information on trade in the area and will be able to hear regional experts discuss feeder and intermodal traffic between German container hubs Hamburg and Bremerhaven, and the Baltic Sea region.

Finally, the spotlight will be put on sustainable shipping as Sam Kimmins, the Principal Sustainability Advisor at the Sustainable Shipping Initiatives Forum of the Future, hosts a session dedicated to successfully navigating the challenges of global competitiveness and environmental change. Contributions from Andrea Hernandez, General Manager at Ship Power Business Intelligence Wartsila Corporation, and Signe Brunn Jensen, Environmental Policy Manager at Maersk Line, will be followed up by a technical session in the afternoon on efficiently handling container repair with Mike Baldwin of COA Container Depot Division.

Join the show in Hamburg

“Our aim at Intermodal Europe is to provide expert information on all of the challenges facing the industry and to put suppliers and businesses in front of one another. We are confident all of our visitors will benefit from the seminars and our most extensive and far reaching conference programme to date is sure to hold something of great interest for anyone involved in the intermodal industry. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Hamburg in November,” Sophie Ahmed concluded.

Intermodal Europe will provide a platform for the experts able to provide practical insight into to the industry, whilst also showcasing the innovations that can help put these ideas into practise during times of economic downturn.

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Source: Intermodal, October 19, 2011.