The federal states

Infrastructure

Roads

At least 28,000 kilometres of roads, which are part of the network of German motorways and long-distance routes, provide ideal conditions for domestic and international passenger and freight traffic. The most important north-south links are the A 5 and A 81 motorways and a short stretch of the A 7. The A 6 motorway plays a key role as an arterial road running east-west.

Railways

Freight can be carried right across the state along the Deutsche Bahn network that stretches 3,400 kilometres. There is also a network of other railway routes that carry passengers and goods.

Shipping

Inland waterway shipping on the rivers Rhine and Neckar links Baden-Württemberg with the largest inland oil terminal in Europe and the ports of Heilbronn and Kehl.

Air traffic

Baden-Württemberg is linked to the rest of the world through the international airports at Stuttgart and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. The regional airport at Friedrichshafen, the Black Forest Airport near Lahr and the Mannheim City Airport also provide quick links and are used for freight traffic.

Economy

With approx. 10.7 million residents and one of the highest per-capita incomes in Europe, Baden-Württemberg is larger and economically stronger than many member states in the European Union. In the field of industrial high technology and research and development, Baden-Württemberg is a leading force within the EU and acts as an innovating force. Growth sectors are particularly R&D-intensive industries and knowledge-intensive services. The five strongest growth sectors in the federal state are information and communications services, electrical engineering, vehicle production, manufacturing chemical products and the health and social services sector. Industry in particular plays a leading role and this means that Baden-Württemberg is the federal state where industry plays the largest role in its gross domestic product.

Infrastructure

Roads

More than 137,000 kilometres of roads that are connected to the network of German motorways and long-distance routes and seven European north-south, east-west links provide ideal conditions for domestic and international passenger and freight traffic.

Railways

Bayern has an efficient network of transhipment centres for combined freight traffic. The Bavarian government is seeking to expand this network.

Shipping

Inland water traffic on the Rhine/Main/Danube waterways links Bavaria with the major sea ports and ports on the Black Sea. Approx. 10.55 million tonnes of goods were handled at Bavarian ports in 2005.

Air traffic

The international airports at Munich and Nuremberg provide connections to the European and intercontinental network of routes. The Franz Josef Strauss airport at Munich is one of the most important hubs for air traffic in Europe.

Economy

Industry in Bavaria is dominated by high-technology sectors like vehicle manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information and communications technology. Bayern is also one of the leading international business locations for specialist sectors like biotechnology, medical engineering, the aerospace industry, energy technology and mechatronics. The services sector is also very important in Bayern; the Free State is the leading location for insurance companies (insurance location no. 1 in Germany), banking (banking location no. 2 in Germany), media companies and the tourism sector. Bayern has also remained one of the main agricultural regions in Europe despite its transformation into a high-tech state.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

• centre of east-west as well as north-south traffic, leading freight villages in Europe
• tri-modal inner-city freight village Berlin-Westhafen
• dense network of transshipment points for combined traffic (rail, waterway, road)
• dense network of freight traffic
• the area around Berlin is part of the European transport corridors

Lighthouse:

Berlin-Westhafen is Berlin's most important logistics centre. This tri-modal port located at the edge of the city centre is an ideal starting point for the distribution of goods within Berlin. In September 2012, the heavy cargo shuttle “URSUS” (Ro-Ro-ramps) of the logistics provider Berlin Hafen und Lagerhausgesellschaft BEHALA was put into operation. With this shuttle, heavy haulage (e.g. gas turbines) with a weight of up to 1,000 tons is relocated to the waterways. Thus, since cargo can be transported over the water, European seaports are in direct reach.

Logistics Solutions

Important logistics hubs and functions:

• east-west and north-south traffic hub
• leading freight villages in Europe
• dense network of transshipment points for combined traffic (rail, waterway, road)
• dense network of freight centres
• the region provides all four traffic carriers and is connected to the European traffic corridors

Lighthouse:

Renowned logistics firms with a wide range of services and specific solutions for various industries are located in the area. Some examples are DB Schenker, Kühne & Nagel, DPD, UPS, Panalpina, GEFCO, Rhenus and Zalando.

This region has developed expertise in seaport hinterland traffic, for example with the sites Falkenberg (BLG Railtec GmbH- Automotive), Schwarzheide (BASF chemistry logistics), the freight village Berlin South, Großbeeren (firm: Fiege textile logistics), Wittenberge with a public inland port, logistics hub Wustermark with freight village, inland port, KV-terminal and railway yard.

Logistics Solutions

Important logistics hubs and functions:

• focus on seaport regarding the general handling of container-, automobile- and non-container cargo
• project logistics for off-shore wind energy
• Germany's first and best freight village
• organisation of global supply chains, automobile and automobile parts logistics, contract logistics

Lighthouse:

seaport logistics, freight village, off-shore wind energy, BLG Logistics Group, Eurogate

Logistics Solutions

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Hamburg represents the “gate to the world” and constitutes the bridge between east and west, or between the intercontinental traffic and the Baltic Sea. Hamburg is the most eastern port of the North Sea and, at the same time, the most western port of the Baltic Sea, and thus connects the booming region China with the developed markets of central and Eastern Europe as well as the Baltic states. Hamburg's port is Europe's biggest transshipment point for railway container traffic. Thanks to the its efficient quattro-modal connection and its diversified structure, any logistics service is possible at this logistical hub.

Lighthouse:

The container terminal Altenwerder of Hamburg's port is one of the most modern and most productive transshipment points of the world and is internationally recognised as “state of the art”. Thanks to its high degree of automation and compact layout, the terminal is groundbreaking for future container trade. The latest technologies and innovative EDP systems guarantee an efficient loading and discharge of ships, especially big container ships. Hamburg further profits from an electromobility research centre located in the terminal, which contributes to its reputation as Green Logistics Capital.

Logistics solutions

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Its location in the geographical centre of Europe as well as its excellent infrastructure make Hesse an ideal place for logistics. Northern Hesse offers the latest cut-off time within Germany and thus best conditions for the over-night delivery of goods. With more than 275 direct flights to international destinations, Frankfurt International Airport ensures global airfreight connections.

Lighthouse:

The so-called House of Logistics & Mobility at Frankfurt Airport is an innovation centre of logistics and mobility. Here, business and political representatives work in an industry-spanning and interdisciplinary context to find solutions for the challenges of today and the future. The collaboration of different competences and a network of partners in various countries let this project shine internationally.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Quick access to national and international markets is granted through excellent connections to land and sea traffic. The federal highways A14, A19, A 20 and A 24 connect the metropolitan areas of Berlin and Hamburg as well as Central Germany. Direct ferry connections exist between the ports of Rostock and Sassnits to other countries or cities bordering the Baltic Sea (e.g. Gedser, Trelleborg, Klaipeda, Ust-Luga, St. Petersburg). Every week, 30 block trains between Rostock and Duisburg, Wels, Verona and others, enable combined traffic to Central and Southern Europe.

Lighthouse:

The so-called “Motorways of the Sea“ (EU water-highways) run between Gedser/Trelleborg and Rostock to Mecklemburg-Hither Pomerania. As a consequence, in the future, modern ferries on the way to Gedser will be equipped by the highest technical standards and at the same time make it possible to double cargo capacity. Apart from economical, this will also bring ecological advantages for the transport between Scandinavia and Central Europe. Moreover, the ports Sassnitz, Rosock and Wismar can establish themselves as base and resupply station for the Baltic Sea's off-shore wind parks.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Very good connections thanks to a good network of logistical hubs: unique density of seaports with individual trade competences. JadeWeserPort – container terminal Wilhelmshaven, which will soon be Germany's only deep-water port, multi-functional inland ports, freight villages with ideal trading conditions, dense network of terminals for combined traffic and direct access/connections to leading airports for airfreight in Northern Germany. Diverse and extensive logistical competences on the part of the companies, and suitable business locations in the best areas.

Lighthouse:

A freight village of 160 ha is constructed directly behind the terminal of the JadeWeserPort. The JadeWeserPort Wilhelmshaven is Germany's only tide-independent container deep-water port with a depth of 18 meters and 4 berths for the world's biggest ships. A shipping logistics cluster of international importance and dimension is created and provides settlers and forwarders an infrastructure that is unique to Northern Europe: tri-modal, efficient and fast. The JadeWeserPort has a 16-track forwarding group, a KV-Terminal with 6 tracks and a direct connection to the highway without traffic lights.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) is the economical and logistical heart of Germany. Here, a dense consumer market (17.8 m. people) comes together with a strong logistics industry. Half of the top 10 logistics companies are based in NRW. At the same time, NRW has Europe's most dense traffic network and is connected to Western European seaports via the Rhine – Europe's largest waterway. NRW is the leader in logistics research and its so-called efficiency cluster logistics Ruhr is involved in the biggest research project worldwide regarding all future topics of logistics.

Lighthouse:

NRW's strength is its capacity to provide specific solutions for all areas of logistics. What stands out is Duisburg's port – the largest inland port worldwide – where a strong logistics hub, especially for imported goods, has formed. In 2011, 2.5 million TEU were traded at Duisburg's port. Another, important location is Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). This is where UPS has built their European airfreight base, and also DHL and FedEx benefit from the excellent logistical infrastructure in North-Rhine Westphalia for the import of goods.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Rhineland-Palatinate provides an efficient traffic infrastructure for all carriers and a broad range of offers for all kinds of logistics. Special focus lies on manufacturing and trade logistics, complex automobile logistics and logistics services. Quick access to all economic centres of Europe is granted by what is the most dense network of wide and supraregional streets in Germany, as well as the waterways Rhine and Mosel, important European railway tracks and the low-cost airport Frankfurt-Hahn.

Lighthouse:

The international low-cost air freight hub Frankfurt-Hahn has succeeded in becoming one of the five biggest German air freight airports. Airlines and various companies value the runway of 3,800 meters in length, which holds a 24h operating license, offers competitive prices as well as a good connection to transportation roads to transborder hinterland. Apart from regular freight, thanks to its technical equipment, the airport Frankfurt-Hahn enables the trade in special freight with large-capacity aircrafts, making the location all the more attractive.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Top logistics performances, its central geographical position in Europe and an excellent infrastructure make Saarland an internationally recognised logistics site. Experienced logistics service providers in Saarland are known for their expertise regarding France and Western Europe, as well as their innovative approaches to all logistical challenges. Logistics is one of Saarland's key competences. Years of experience in the automobile industry guarantee the adherence to schedules and profound know-how.

Profiles and contacts of Saarland's service providers can be found here: www.logistik.saarland.de

Lighthouse:

Via Saarland's Dachser Euro-Hub, access to all targets within Europe is guaranteed within 24-48 hours. As one of Europe's leading logistics service providers, with more than 17,500 employees in 306 locations worldwide, Dachser covers procurement and distribution logistics, meaning an integration of transport, warehousing, and value-added services. Many companies benefit from the most important logistical hub in Überherrn for their European logistics. More area is acquitted at the time, so that an additional 180 ha of land will be available throughout Saarland by 2013.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

• air freight hub Leipzig, providing 24/7 service and the DHL intercontinental route HKG-LAX-LEJ; freight village Leipzig with tri-modal access to transportation: road, air, rail
• east-west logistics hub Dresden, intersection of Europe's most important streets; freight village Dresden near the Elbe seaport (waterway CZ – port Hamburg); possibilities to transship on road (E55, E40) and rail
• freight village Southwest Saxony, focusing on industrial contract logistics - 3 sites close to the production centres Zwickau, Glauchau and Chemnitz; possibilities to transship on road and rail

Lighthouse:

The region around Leipzig is Germany's most dynamic logistics location and one of Europe's top five. The DHL hub Leipzig operates from Leipzig/Halle airport – Europe's most modern airfreight hub. In the closer area, surrounding the BMW and Porsche automobile production sites, are companies such as Schnellecke Logistics, DB Schenker and Kühne+Nagel as contract logistics providers and module suppliers. Education and research are conducted by the Leipzig School of Commerce and the University of Applied Sciences for technology, business and culture. Fields of research are, for example, IT-supported logistics, production/logistics or green logistics.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

11.000 kilometres of modernised streets are available for freight transport. A modern traffic infrastructure connects Saxony-Anhalt with pan-European roads. 600 kilometres of navigable waterways connect 18 ports and transshipment points. Magdeburg's port is the largest inland port of Central Germany and provides a tri-modal container terminal for combined traffic. 3,100 km of railway tracks constitute one of the world's most dense railway systems. The airport Leipzig/Halle is the second-largest air freight hub in Germany.

Lighthouse:

There is a modern tri-modal container terminal for combined traffic in Magdeburg's port. From the airport Leipzig/Halle – the European DHL distribution hub – 58 airports in 34 countries in four continents are approached around the clock, 365 days of the year.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

Its position between North and Baltic Sea makes Schleswig-Holstein a central connecting point, providing access to German, European and world markets. No other location has a more direct connection to international ports and airports, direct access to North and Baltic Sea, or such efficient highway or railway connections to north-south and east-west traffic. The North-Baltic-Canal, as the world's most frequented artificial waterway, connects crucial markets of the North Sea and Baltic region.

Lighthouse:

In the future, all trade routes to Scandinavia, especially between the metropolitan regions Hamburg and Malmö-Kopenhagen, will be shortened thanks to a traffic project of European significancy: an 18 kilometre path between Fehmarn and Denmark - to be opened in 2021. The envisioned coastal highway A20 optimises the hinterland connection of German seaports and thus enables a closer link of the countries bordering North and Baltic Sea. Thereby, Schleswig-Holstein strengthens its strong position as Northern European logistics hub.

Important logistics hubs and functions:

• all German cities and metropolitan areas within 5-hour reach per truck
• freight village Erfurt: inter-modal transport; close to A4 (Frankfurt - Dresden - Prague) and A 71 (Erfurt - Wuerzburg - Stuttgart); main railway tracks Paris - Frankfurt/M. - Berlin- Moscow
• TNT air road hub in Erfurt

Lighthouse:

Companies such as IKEA, Panasonic, Zalando, Redcoon (Media Markt/Saturn) have their European logistics centres in Thuringia.