Logisticians promoting the distribution hub idea at Munich

The Estonian Logistics Cluster participated at the Transport Logistic 2013 International Exhibition for Logistics, Mobility, IT, and Supply Management, a prominent fair where over 2000 companies from 63 countries were represented.

As stated by Mr. Andres Valgerist, the Chairman of the Management Board of the Estonian Logistics and Transit Association and the leader of the Estonian Logistics Cluster, the aim of participation at the exhibition was to introduce the competitive advantages of Estonia’s geographic location and enterprises to the companies at the fair active in managing transit cargo flows from Europe to Russia and interested in investments to Estonia.

“We are offering European businesses options to expand through our distribution hubs and we are inviting the owners of cargo as well as the forwarders to utilise Estonia's transit corridor in trading with Russia, CIS countries and Central Asia," Valgerist explained.

Simultaneously with the exhibition, a Baltic Forum ‘The hub for Northern and Eastern Europe' (Länderspecial Baltikum - die Logistik-Drehscheibe für Nord-Ost-Europa) was convened together with Latvia and Lithuania, where the visitors were presented an overview of the overall economy of and business opportunities in the Baltic States.

Mr. Ahti Kunigas, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, introducing Estonia’s economic and investment environment at the Forum, emphasised, among other things, Estonia's advantageous location for setting up distribution hubs. "We do have a fully developed proper infrastructure – close proximity of our airport and harbour, safe and secure business environment and educated and well trained labour are all adding to the great advantages of setting up logistics and distribution hubs over here,” Kuningas held. As an example of a relevant success story, Kuningas referred to the opening of Katoen Natie warehouse facilities at the Muuga Harbour.

Estonian ports and harbours house the most efficient terminals in Europe; the transhipment times are much faster compared to other European harbours. Estonian ports are navigable all year round and are the deepest at the Baltic Sea, meaning that Estonian ports can receive all vessels able to pass through the Danish straits. The transportation speed from the ports to the border checkpoints is high – e.g. Estonia has the easternmost sea port in Europe that is situated mere 25 kilometres from the border between Russia and the European Union. The speed of road transport is supported by short distances, toll free road network, and the computerised queuing system for border crossing at Estonian-Russian border. Estonian harbours, free zones, and industrial parks provide hundreds of hectares production and commercial land with already highly developed infrastructures as well as facilities and superstructures for instant start-up activities.

Of the members of the Estonian Logistics Cluster, the Port of Tallinn, the Port of Sillamäe, the Paldiski North Harbour, Contimer, Alekon Cargo, EVR Cargo, and the Estonian Logistics and Transit Association were the ones participating the logistics exhibition in Munich.