BHV Bremische Hafen und Logistikvertretung’s project logistics monitor 2024 has presented a subdued outlook for the market in 2024, with respondents cautious about cost pressures and a shortage of labour.
The association of around 250 member companies from the logistics, port and transport industries in Bremen and Bremerhaven, Germany, conducted its survey at the beginning of the year. Around 60 services providers and shippers from the industry took part in the survey, with just under a third of respondents expecting volumes to rise this year.
Many of the respondents expect stagnating volumes over 2024, with around 40 percent anticipating a decline.
In the previous year, around half of the respondents saw an increase in cargo volumes. For this year, many expect freight rates and logistics costs to continue to rise.
The main issues raised in the survey relate to cost pressures and the shortage of skilled workers. Despite the subdued business outlook, many companies are planning to invest in their workforce.
Measures to recruit employees include initiatives to make working time models more flexible. BHV said that, for the younger generation, the compatibility of work and family life as well as fair remuneration and development opportunities in the company are particularly important when choosing their future job. Social media channels such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Xing also play a decisive role in the competition for young talent and skilled workers.
The topic of sustainability was also discussed, with the responsibility for more sustainable solutions being shared among different actors. There is scepticism about shippers and end customers covering the costs of more sustainable transport and packaging solutions.
