ECG — 2026-02-23
News from ECG
“Multimodal Operational Efficiency in FVL” is described briefly, focusing primarily on avoiding port congestion. Disruptions can occur at any point in the chain, but they affect all players in a port, causing missed slot times, delays, additional costs and reduced efficiency.
The Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) organised its Operational Days on 18–19 February 2026. The event took place in Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven, Germany, two ports where all transport modes converge and typically enable a seamless logistics flow. When disruptions occur, however, their impact spreads quickly across the system.
Over two days, participants from OEMs and Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) companies discussed current challenges and opportunities in port operations, including workflows across all transport modes and compounds. The objective was to address key operational challenges and identify ways to improve day-to-day efficiency.
“The main purpose of the workshops was to allow people in the industry to see and experience the challenges of port operations and to give them the opportunity to ask questions directly to the experts involved,” said Oliver Fuhljahn, Business Development Manager at the multipurpose seaport terminal Rhenus Cuxport, one of the event’s sponsors. Other sponsors included BLG Logistics, Ermewa, Hödlmayr, Mosolf, PQC and Seaports of Niedersachsen.
The keynote speaker, Axel Bantel, Managing Director of BLG Automobile Logistics, compared port operations to an orchestra that requires a conductor to ensure the right timing, a shared rhythm and overall efficiency in order to avoid congestion. By illustrating the cost impact of dwell times and the potential for savings, he demonstrated that tangible benefits exist for all stakeholders, provided that collaboration takes place. The challenge, however, lies in ensuring that all parties are willing to listen and actively participate.
Carsten Wendt of Wallenius Wilhelmsen noted that, from his perspective, port congestion is currently under control but stressed that COVID-19 and other recent crises have highlighted the need for preparedness in the face of rapid change. He also emphasised the importance of companies looking beyond their own immediate targets.
Kai Wenhold of Mosolf underlined the need for reliable time windows for loading, while also calling for greater flexibility and improved planning to prevent congestion at terminal gates. Karl Gümpel of DB Cargo highlighted the long planning horizons required in rail operations, particularly for securing slots, and stressed the importance of working with consistent key performance indicators.
Hervé Moulin, Expert in Vehicle Logistics at the Renault Group, pointed to the specific responsibility OEMs carry in logistics, given their end-to-end view of vehicle flows to customers. He noted that many of the required tools are already in place, citing Renault’s Vehicle Control Tower as an example of how logistics flows from factory to dealer, including maritime transport, can be managed through an integrated, end-to-end approach. He encouraged ECG to continue this work following his upcoming retirement, emphasising that so-called “unpredictable data” can be made more predictable, even though significant work remains.
Frank Schnelle, Executive Director of ECG, concluded that the Association is well placed to assume the role of the conductor the industry increasingly needs, helping ensure that the Multimodal Operational Efficiency Orchestra continues to perform effectively.
Participants also benefited from additional insights through a keynote on port developments and multipurpose strategy by Claudius Schumacher of Rhenus Cuxport. Kirsti Gjertsen provided an overview of how the Port of Antwerp-Bruges operates its Port Community System, while Karsten Horn of INFORM presented the latest IT trends for port terminal management.