logitrans 2016 holds up well in a tense market environment

• New international exhibitors

• Registration status promises positive outlook

• Air cargo section continues to grow

Between November 16 and 18, 2016 logitrans, “The International Transport Logistics Exhibition”, will be celebrating its tenth anniversary edition in the ifm Istanbul Expo Center. logitrans showcases an extensive range of products and services all along the value chain in logistics, telematics and transport.

Despite the currently difficult situation in Turkey and the uncertainties about the future, logitrans is holding up well in a tense market environment. Gerhard Gerritzen, a member of the Management Board of Messe München, explains: “Yes, we have had some cancellations. But on the other hand a high percentage of our established exhibitors are keeping faith with us. And we are even attracting applications from new international exhibitors. We are especially upbeat about the air cargo section, which is developing very well. For example, Qatar Airways is taking part, the first of the Gulf airlines to exhibit at logitrans, and that is further increasing the international scope of the show. So there are indeed also very positive trends and opportunities.”

This is being increasingly recognized by German transport policy makers. For example, in a debate about the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as a logistics location held on July 6, 2016, Michael Groschek (SPD), the Minister of Transport for NRW, drew attention to the shift in freight volumes from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean. For NRW, he pointed out, the benchmark was no longer Rotterdam or Hamburg, but instead primarily Istanbul, as the bridgehead to Asia. It was therefore important to show a presence here, including at logistics trade fairs.

Indeed, the level of registrations received so far is good, considering the current challenging environment. From Turkey, applications have been received from market leaders such as Arkas Lojistik, Ceynak Lojistik, Etis Lojistik, ICL Netlog, Karinca Lojistik, Omsan Lojistik, Safiport, Taha, Ulusoy and UN RORO.

And on the international side, the line-up will also include exhibitors like BLG Logistics Group, Duisburger Hafen AG, Kühne + Nagel, Neptune Lines, Stena Sealine and Zeeland Seaport. First-time exhibitors in 2016 include the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) and Kombiverkehr from Germany, Tallink Silja Oy from Finland and Trade Translog from Poland.

logitrans 2016 will also feature, for the sixth time in succession, an official pavilion of exhibitors from Germany; this is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Exhibiting their solutions and services here will be, among others, DB Cargo AG, Schenker Deutschland, and, for the first time, Bohnet GmbH, Döderlein Spedition GmbH and also Universal Transport. Advantage Austria is also again organizing an official joint presentation from Austria, supported by the Austrian Economic Chambers. The exhibitors here include Gebrüder Weiss, iQ Card Vertriebs GmbH, Rail Cargo Austria and Road & Sea Logistics GmbH.

The construction of the third airport at Istanbul is already making itself felt. This will be the biggest airport in the world, and it goes into operation in February 2018. As a result the air cargo section at logitrans will of course be expanding still further. Already initial positionings in the market are being observed. And this will be visible at logitrans 2016 through the presence of exhibitors such as Turkish Cargo, Lufthansa, Pegasus, and for the first time, Qatar Airways.

In 2015 already logitrans impressed with the increase in the international scope and quality of its participants. It was a demonstration of the importance this trade fair has gained as a place to do business. Exhibitors and visitors reported the signing of many new business deals. The high number of international exhibitors and visitors in 2015 underlined the importance of logitrans as a platform for building up logistics networks between Asia and Europe. This trade fair is a must for all those wishing to consolidate and expand business relationships between Turkey and Europe.