Inside Freight Markets

Export optimism drops, Allianz Trade survey finds

Global trade sentiment has weakened sharply following new US tariff announcements on 2 April. A survey by Allianz Trade of 4,500 exporters in nine major economies shows optimism has halved: 80 percent expected export growth before the announcement,…

Company News

German firms unprepared for EU Data Act, Bitkom warns

Fewer than five percent of German companies have addressed the EU Data Act, which comes into force on 12 September 2025. A Bitkom Research survey of 605 firms found that only one percent have fully implemented the rules, and four percent have…

Behind the Scenes in Berlin

German Transport Ministry reshuffles: Hirte takes over freight and logistics

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMV) has reassigned key responsibilities. Parliamentary State Secretary Christian Hirte (CDU) will now oversee strategic policy as well as freight transport and logistics, according to internal…

Behind the Scenes in Brussels

Poland pushes EU compromise on heavier trucks

Ahead of the 5 June Transport Council, the Polish EU Presidency is seeking movement on the directive for vehicle weights and dimensions. A Polish compromise aims to ease opposition to cross-border use of longer and heavier trucks, DVZ-International…

Logistics

Bertschi: Germany losing ground in freight logistics

The ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam are gaining significance for inland transport, says Hans-Jörg Bertschi, Chairman of Swiss chemical logistics firm Bertschi AG. “For modern land transport, Benelux is now at least as important as Germany,” he told…

Company News

Financial stability key priority for new Otto CEO

At the annual results presentation for 2024/25, Otto Group CEO Petra Scharner-Wolff reported a strong recovery in earnings. EBIT rose sharply from 8 million to 276 million euros, while the group returned to a post-tax profit of 165 million euros…

Inside Freight Markets

GLS eyes further growth after IDS takeover

Following the IDS takeover by EP Group, GLS CEO Karl Pfaff told DVZ-International there are no planned changes to the group’s strategic direction and that he expects continued investment to drive profitable growth. In recent years, GLS has recorded…

Air

Chinese container bookings hit daily records as US tariffs ease

Container bookings on the transpacific trade are reaching new daily highs as a result of the provisional tariff reductions on US imports of goods from China. According to data from the US-based tracking service provider Vizion, new year-to-date highs…

Geis Increases Stake in Quehenberger

The Franconian logistics company Geis is acquiring an additional 20 percent stake in the Austrian Quehenberger Group, retroactive to January 1, 2025 – subject to antitrust approval. The seller is the CF Foundation, which is backed by Christian…

In Focus

Temu and Shein Shift Focus to Europe

Facing tighter trade restrictions in the U.S., Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein are now investing heavily in European markets. According to data from analytics firm Sensor Tower, both companies significantly increased their digital…

Inside Freight Markets

IMO climate rules to reshape fuel economics

Bunker costs in global shipping could nearly double by the mid-2030s. New climate regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), set to take effect in 2028, will require shipping companies to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of…

On the Move

Lufthansa Cargo reorganises Executive Board

Frank Bauer will move internally from the finance department to the operational business of the German cargo airline on 1 July. Gregor Schleussner from Eurowings joins the airline's management team as the new Head of Finance and Human Resources.

Air

US air freight imports from China lose momentum

The massive increase in capacity observed following the provisional tariff agreement between China and the USA is currently losing momentum. Immediately after the significant reduction in US tariffs on Chinese imports came into force on 14 May, air…

Road

Insurance overtakes logistics at Waberer’s

Waberer's increased its profitability significantly in Q1 2025, despite a slight drop in revenue. Group turnover fell by 1.2 percent to 194.4 million Euro, but EBIT rose by 29.3 percent to 11 million Euro, and net profit surged by nearly 585 percent…

Inside Freight Markets

Northern European ports reach capacity limits

Several key Northern European ports—including Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Wilhelmshaven, and London—are currently operating at or beyond capacity. According to a customer advisory from Kühne + Nagel, waiting times for container ships have surged…