Transporting success: Shanghai logistics fair pivotal to Asia

Asia's version of the trade show transport logistic China will be held from 17 to 19 June 2008 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), the third time the event has been held in China.

The 2008 show, 50 percent bigger than the previous event in 2006, will include exhibitors in logistics, telematics and transportation displayed over 15,000 sq m at SNIEC.

Since its premiere in 2004 the fair has continued to expand in exhibition size, registered exhibitors and visitors.

This year's fair expects to attract national pavilions from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Spain, the Czech Republic and the Italian regions of Friuli and Veneto.

With the participation of European pavilions, the event will establish itself as the leading international logistics fair in Asia, organizers say.

Dialog and deals between domestic and foreign enterprises will strengthen the international cooperation greatly, and bring development of China's logistics to a global level.

In addition to national pavilions, others highlight a segment of the wider industry. A joint booth by the Container Owners Association and the International Tank Container Organization will show the range of China-built containers. The China Supply Chain Council will show the latest in supply chain services.

The ports of Hamburg and Bremen will have a joint stand where their partners and cooperating firms will outline the development of port construction, shipping, third-party logistics, freight forwarders and regional trade.

As the country that handles the largest volume of freight in the world, China is key to the success of many companies in the transport and logistics industry.

The value of the Chinese logistics market has reached $267.5 billion, with the number continuing to climb. According to the Chinese Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the sector grew by over 25 percent in the first half of 2007.

The transport logistic China fair offers a comprehensive range of shipping solutions that makes it a pivotal industry gathering. Logistics, telematics, e-commerce, in-house transport, material-flow solutions, freight and services are all represented.

Air Cargo China

An important part of the fair is its Air Cargo China segment, now the biggest international showcase for the air cargo industry in Asia.

The 2008 Air Cargo China forum will be 50 percent larger than the previous event in 2006, with about 50 of the world's leading airlines and airports participating.

Exhibitors will promote services and innovations they offer to ensure in-time movement of air cargo around the world.

Leading air cargo companies exhibiting include Air China Cargo, Emirates Air, Malaysia Airlines, Lufthansa, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Thai Airways as well as important logistics interchanges such as the International Cargo Center Shenzhen, Dubai Logistics City, the airports of Atlanta, Munich, Tianjin and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals.

Leading cargo aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus will also use the fair to promote their business in Asia.

A two-day conference with talks by industry experts will focus on the latest developments and trends in air cargo in Asia.

Logistics Real Estate

The industry's biggest industrial and infrastructure provider ProLogis began operations in China in 2003, bringing with it the concept of logistics real estate.

In the last five years, noted developers AMB, Gazeley, New City and Mapletree began projects in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo, Suzhou and other major mainland cities.

They not only build professional facilities for the "Made in China" enterprises, but also provide solid infrastructure for the rapidly developing logistics industry in China.

The 2008 fair will bring the top names of the logistics real estate industry to share more about the segment, such as storage standardization, sustainable development, management and distribution.

(China Daily 06/16/2008 page14)