Logistics and environmental protection, transport and climate balance are increasingly seen as two sides of the same coin. Many companies have discovered that environmental protection is a good financial investment. Together with Supply Chain Asia, Messe München International will be airing this theme in the market, at a Green Logistics Workshop at transport logistic China 2010, Asia´s most important event for logistics, telematics and transport. In addition, international transport and logistics companies will also be showcasing their environmental solutions for the world market at the event venue, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

The Green Logistics Workshop by Supply Chain Asia will be a main event in the conference programme at transport logistic China, which takes place from 8 to 10 June 2010 in Shanghai. International experts will be presenting the activities of regional and global companies in the transport and logistics business and outlining the first steps towards a green strategy, how to implement them and how to gain wide support for them. In the logistics sector in particular, those who engage in sustainable operations, are also increasing efficiency, saving money and protecting the environment.

This is all the more significant in view of the fact that the transport sector is responsible for around a quarter of worldwide carbon emissions (GRIP-CO2-Balance, www.euco2.eu). Until now green logistics has been a peripheral theme for the Chinese transport market. Manufacturing production is continuing to expand, and demand – both domestic and international – is ever rising. Nevertheless for domestic logistics suppliers there is urgent need for action. The logistics sector in the country is extremely fragmented, with many small firms and often diverse regional requirements. In many regions, therefore, setting up a functioning logistics infrastructure is right at the top of the agenda, reports Germany Trade & Invest. The opening of the Chinese markets is a tremendous challenge to logistics operations: companies in China are having to adapt their logistics processes to the world standard in order to keep or achieve a place in the global market. For German and European logistics companies this Chinese deficit offers excellent market opportunities.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that GDP in China will grow by nine percent in 2010. China is the third-largest economy and the third-largest trading nation in the world. Since the policy of opening up began in 1978, European-Chinese trade has expanded by more than thirty times, and experts expect that in 2010 the People´s Republic will overtake Germany as the world´s no. 1 exporting nation – if it hasn't already done so. Yet despite this considerable economic development China remains an emerging country. For logistics, this means that foreign companies are still finding access to the market difficult, and both infrastructure and properly qualified personnel are lacking. This will change only in small steps. One positive development is that last year the Chinese central government decided to give more support to the logistics industry. One initiative is to turn Shanghai by 2020 into an international financial centre and interchange for freight transport. The city has been pursuing this aim for years. Now, for the first time, it is also enjoying official government support and backing from Beijing. In the last ten years container transhipment volumes in Shanghai have grown exponentially: present capacity is at 280 million containers per year. This makes Shanghai the second biggest container port in the world, after Singapore, and in terms of cargo tonnage, the absolute number one worldwide.

Given this rapid development, environmental issues are becoming ever more pressing. Ottmar Edenhofer, Chief Economist at the Institute for Climate Impact Research in Potsdam, comments: "China will be one of those countries most affected by climate change. Preventing dangerous climate change is in the best interests of China." A recent report by the Chinese Economists 50 Forum and the Stockholm Environment Institute stated that China could indeed combine high economic growth with an ambitious programme to reduce emissions.
 
Further information: www.transportlogistic-china.com.

About transport logistic China
transport logistic China, 4th International Exhibition for Logistics, Telematics and Transport, is being held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in China from 8 to 10 June 2010. 431 exhibitors from 46 countries presented their products and services at transport logistic China 2008 and Air Cargo China 2008. Over 11,215 visitors from 77 countries attended the international exhibition, which also featured an extensive programme of related events and conferences. For further information, go to: www.transportlogistic-china.com.
 
About Messe München International (MMI)
Messe München International (MMI, Munich Trade Fairs International Group) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair companies. It organizes around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With six subsidiaries abroad – in Europe and in Asia – and 64 foreign representatives serving over 90 countries, MMI has a truly global network. Environmental protection and sustainability are key priorities in all MMI´s operations, at home and abroad.
 
 
Press contact:
Petra Gagel, transport logistic China 2010 Press Office
Tel. +49 89 / 949-20 244, Fax +49 89 / 949-20249
petra.gagel@messe-muenchen.de
04/d/MarComGB1/ni/pet