Germany is top logistics location in 2018

Author: Dimitri Lagun
Date: 08.08.2018

World Bank publishes logistics performance index 2018

After Germany was already number one in the logistics locations in 2014 and 2016, the World Bank placed Germany again on first place in 2018. Overall, 160 countries were awarded in the Logistics Performance Index. On the places behind Germany are the countries Sweden, Belgium and Austria. Part of the top 10 are also Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Great Britain, Denmark and Finland. Especially Hamburg has a great influence on Germany’s success. The city has made a significant contribution to the success through funding programs, innovations and infrastructure development.

For example, the reliable transmission of information is an important factor in the handling of goods traffic. But there are almost no uniform standards at this point, so that the cooperation of the different systems is often disturbed. This can cause many faults. By using block chain technology, the Hansebloc project shall solve the problem. The project is funded by the government with around two million euros.

Another example of a project that contributed to Germany’s excellent ranking is the Next Logistics Accelerator, a start-up accelerator for the logistics industry. In the selection process of the six-month acceleration program, four startups prevailed, including three logistics companies from Germany and one from California. The start-ups receive support from the NLA in developing their business models and planning the future of their business. In addition, important contacts from the industry for the start-ups are made.

Criteria of the logistics performance index are infrastructure, customs clearance, service quality, tracking & tracing, timeliness as well as price-performance ratio of international consignments. Germany ranks the first place in terms of infrastructure as well as customs clearance and quality of service.