HGK Logistics and Intermodal starts logistics dialogue

How can logistics companies offer their services in more resource-efficient, sustainable and environmentally conscious ways in the future? These and other topics were explored at the first ‘Logistics Dialogue Rhineland’ hosted by HGK Logistics and Intermodal on Tuesday evening. Some 150 guests from business, politics and society took part in this event at the ‘KölnSky’, high above the Rhine.

“We are very pleased with the great resonance of our first event,” said Markus Krämer, CEO of HGK Intermodal and Logistics. “We want to establish the ‘Logistics Dialogue Rhineland’ so that decision-makers from politics, industry and logistics can regularly discuss the most important topics in the sector. The fact that the focus of our first meeting was climate protection, digitalisation and sustainability is obvious in view of the dramatic developments that are now affecting us all.”

Uwe Wedig, CEO of the HGK Group, opened the evening by outlining the developments of the company towards an integrated logistics group and the tasks it was facing. “There are many challenges awaiting us and the entire sector. The keywords here include energy transition, climate neutrality and run-down infrastructures. We can only manage these endeavours together with industry, politics and society."

In a recorded video message, Oliver Krischer, Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport for NRW, then emphasised the importance of sustainable logistics as a prerequisite for successful economic activity in the region. Hanno Brümmer, Head of Supply Chain and Logistics for materials manufacturer Covestro, commended the high level of cooperation and emphasised the fundamental value of functioning supply chains for his company.

Exciting growth potential

Following a keynote speech by Prof Dr Ulrich Lichtenthaler, Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the International School of Management in Cologne, on ‘Challenges and opportunities of sustainability and digitalisation in logistics’, a panel discussion took place, moderated by WDR radio journalist Gisela Steinhauer. Markus Krämer, Dr Jan Zeese and Andreas Grzib, as Managing Directors of HGK Logistics and Intermodal, spoke of the exciting growth potential for the company at various locations.

The company is planning, for example, to participate in the ‘Fusion Cologne’ project in the north of Cologne by constructing a modern logistics building. The objective of this is to create specialised offerings for regional trade and industry.

Objective: CO₂-free operation of ports

To develop the Rhine ports of Cologne in terms of environmental protection, decarbonisation and sustainability, HGK Logistics and Intermodal is also starting a digital ideas competition with two partners. Under the slogan ‘ChemTelligence’, and together with ChemCologne, the chemical industry network in the Rhineland and the consulting agency CMC2, it will be examined as to whether the CO₂-free operation of the ports is possible and if so how can it be accomplished. “For a climate-neutral future, we need economically viable logistics concepts. We hope that the competition will provide further impetus for the use of emission-free fuels in handling and transport, among other things. Our rail and water transport services are in themselves more climate-friendly than other modes of transport. We hope to collect some good ideas here by the end of the year,” says Dr Jan Zeese.