Agenda - BVL Supply Chain CX 2025

VisionPorts from Invisium - smart automation for the logistics of tomorrow.

In today’s volatile, high-stakes logistics landscape, success is no longer defined by siloed systems or standalone tools—but by connected networks, shared intelligence, and collaborative execution. In this forward-looking session, Sven Meyer, Regional Sales Manager DACH Alpega, will explore how Collective Intelligence is becoming the most valuable asset in global transport. By uniting shippers, carriers, LSPs, and technology providers on a single digital platform, logistics leaders can unlock end-to-end visibility, resilience, and sustainability at scale. Discover how Alpega’s Digital Transport Platform—powered by Connecta—brings this intelligence to life across procurement, planning, execution, and optimization.

What do the new trends mean for the structure of the global supply chain landscape? In this session, participants will get an exclusive first look at the key findings of BVL's upcoming study “Trends and Strategies 2025”. Initial results will be jointly reviewed, discussed, interpreted such as their impact on the logistics and supply chain of tomorrow predicted. The aim is to derive specific findings that can help to actively shape the future of the supply chain.
 

Real innovation often emerges from a workplace transformation, with a strong employee experience serving as the basis for driving change. Crafting an exceptional employee experience can be the first step toward innovation. The next crucial aspect is fostering a thriving culture, underpinned by real, lived values. This goes beyond buzzwords — values should be meaningful and embraced by all. These values should then form the basis of a cultural charter that’s clearly communicated, supported, and integrated into the overall employer experience. The question remains: Is your organization ready for transformation? This coffee talk seeks not only answers to this issue but also shows how innovation can be implemented quickly in your organization. Fix the fundamentals, catch the employees, develop it, live it.

Germany's inland ports are far more than just transhipment centres - they are trimodal logistics hubs. With efficient solutions for combined freight transport, they make a key contribution to the transport transition!

Are you already a #PortsFan? Visit us for a personal exchange over a good glass of wine in our #HafenFan wine lounge!

The future of document processing has begun - with AI clerks that read, check and process consignment notes, invoices and customs documents independently. The past few months have impressively demonstrated that traditional OCR tools and rigid SaaS products are a thing of the past. In his presentation, Holger Trittenbach (Head of Product at ExB) will show how Anna - a virtual AI clerk - not only processes documents, but also understands them. In a live demo, she recognizes discrepancies in real documents and transfers structured data directly into the TMS or ERP system - seamlessly integrated and ready for use in just a few days. For anyone who wants to make processes smarter, reduce the workload of teams and reach the next level of automation with AI.

The finalists shortlisted by the jury will get straight to the point – they will present their work in very brief pitches.

Following the pitches, they will answer questions from the jury, whose members will then select the awardee 2025. 

To find out more about the Science Award for SCM, go to https://www.bvl.de/en/sascm

Prognosen sind gut – aber was wäre, wenn Ihre Supply Chain selbst erkennen würde, was kommt?

In July 2027, a digital network will go live across Europe that will enable logistics companies and service providers to provide freight transportation information digitally during inspections by competent authorities. The EU member states are obliged to introduce interoperable systems in the control authorities in order to be able to accept freight transport information digitally. The objectives for this are: more efficiency in freight transport, digital connection of authorities, faster and more targeted checks, up-to-date transport data for companies, fewer language barriers, better monitoring of cabotage journeys, increased safety for emergency services and more efficient operations, e.g. in the event of dangerous goods accidents. Companies must therefore make the data available on suitable platforms. This is why this session, together with companies and the German Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association (DSLV), will focus on the practical opportunities and challenges of digitizing transport data. The Federal Ministry of Transport will also show what support is being provided by the federal government for implementation.
 

Rules, tariffs, and trade agreements are undergoing global changes – and with them, the playing field for internationally operating companies and their supply chains. Political decisions can take effect overnight, trade barriers emerge or shift, and regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly complex.

This hands-on session brings together two perspectives: a sound legal assessment of current developments and regulatory frameworks, and a direct report from practical experience. Together, the speakers will explore how companies can remain flexible, legally compliant, and operational – even under geopolitical pressure. The focus will be on concrete strategies for dealing with tightened export controls, new customs structures, and ad-hoc measures.

In a world where everything is expected to be instant, transparent, and personalized, the supply chain becomes the ultimate lever for customer experience. Technologies such as real-time tracking, predictive analytics, autonomous vehicles, AI-based ETA predictions, and drones are not only transforming operational logistics – they are actively shaping the experience customers associate with a brand.
This panel explores the question: How can logistics become a strategic differentiator through technology – rather than a mere commodity?
The goal is to showcase concrete innovation approaches from real-world practice and discuss how companies can successfully balance experience, efficiency, and sustainability.
 

Just as efficient logistics processes are key to customer satisfaction and competitiveness in online retail, promotions are a central component of cooperation between the consumer goods industry and retailers, and an important driver of sales. However, both require a high level of packaging effort.
After a keynote speech entitled “New trends in shipping and returns management in e-commerce” with a focus on packaging solutions in online retailing, users from industry and retail will discuss the opportunities and challenges of permanent and reusable solutions for POS promotions in the subsequent panel discussion. Alternative concepts that promise significant savings in packaging and CO2 are being already tested in initial pilot projects.
 

Erleben Sie, wie Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) die Zukunft der Supply Chain Planung durch die Zusammenarbeit von Mensch und Maschine neu gestaltet.

Marketing ist auf eine reibungslos funktionierende Logistik angewiesen – denn selbst die kreativste Kampagne verpufft, wenn Produkte nicht verfügbar sind oder Lieferungen unzuverlässig erfolgen.

Neue Player mit fordern mit frischen Ideen die Logistik- und Supply-Chain-Branche heraus. In drei Impulsvorträgen zeigen Innovations¬treiber, wie traditionelle Prozesse neu gedacht werden, wie aus Ideen marktreife Lösungen entstehen und wie etablierte Unternehmen durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Start-ups, Inkubatoren oder Investoren profitieren können.

China is a driving force for innovation in logistics and supply chain management. This session explores current developments and technological trends in the Chinese market.

Die Zeit ist reif für – ja was eigentlich? Seit über zehn Jahren sind wir in der Supply Chain Welt nun im
Start-up/Innovationsbeschleunigungs-Game. Was haben wir gelernt? Welche Fehler passieren nach wie vor?

Versicherungskosten, regulatorische und gesellschaftliche Anforderungen die Kostenstrukturen in der KEP-Branche? Welche Herausforderungen und Chancen ergeben sich besonders für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen?

Moderiertes Networking, in kleinen Runden an unseren CX-Connect-Tables! Am Mittwoch und Donnerstag wird den Teilnehmenden an jeweils über 20 dieser Thementische mit meist acht Personen ein Austausch zu spezifischen Themen ermöglicht. Begleitet werden die Connect Tables von ausgewählten „Table Captains”, die die Themen vorbereiten, moderieren und alle Teilnehmenden einbinden. 

Ab Mitte 2026 wird der digitale Tachograf im grenzüberschreitenden gewerblichen Güterverkehr auch fürleichte Nutzfahrzeuge mit einem zulässigen Gesamtgewicht ab 2,5 Tonnen verpflichtend – damit sind nun auch viele Kurier-, Express- und Paketdienste (KEP) direkt betroffen.

In dieser Session zeigen wir praxisnahe Beispiele, wie technologie- und herstellerunabhängige Ortung Effizienz steigert, Kosten senkt und Nachhaltigkeitsziele unterstützt. Ob Asset-Tracking, Lagerautomatisierung oder Transparenz in der Lieferkette – omlox ermöglicht skalierbare Lösungen über alle Technologien hinweg. Erleben Sie, wie Ortungsdaten echten ROI liefern.
 

Das heutige Geschäftsumfeld in der Logistik erfordert einerseits einen höheren Automationsgrad und andererseits eine starke Anpassungsfähigkeit.

KI-Systeme wirken oft wie eine „Black Box“. Der Open-Source-Gedanke bietet hier eine Möglichkeit zur Öffnung: Durch das Teilen von Trainingsdaten, vortrainierten Modellen und Software entsteht ein offenes Innovationsökosystem. 

Die Digitalisierung in der Intralogistik bietet enormes Potenzial – vielerorts bleiben Prozesse jedoch noch isoliert. In diesem Vortrag teilen wir Erfahrungen und Learnings aus der Praxis und zeigen, wie datengetriebene Lösungen heute bereits zur Optimierung beitragen. Zudem werfen wir einen Blick darauf, wie sich Lagerbereiche und -systeme künftig stärker vernetzen lassen und welche Entwicklungen den Weg zu einer integrierten Intralogistik ebnen könnten.

Jährlich verlassen etwa 400.000 Menschen den Arbeitsmarkt, was einer Stadt mit der Größe Duisburgs entspricht.

Special achievements in science and research will receive their well-deserved recognition at the BVL Supply Chain CX. 

Deutschlands Binnenhäfen sind weit mehr als nur Umschlagplätze – sie sind trimodale Logistikknotenpunkte. Mit effizienten Lösungen für den kombinierten Güterverkehr liefern sie einen zentralen Beitrag zur Verkehrswende.   

Alle #HafenFans können daher zum persönlichen Austausch bei einem guten Glas Wein in die #HafenFan-Weinlounge kommen.  

Diese Session beleuchtet gegensätzliche Standpunkte aus unterschiedlichen wirtschaftlichen Kontexten. 

Today's IT landscape offers a wide range of specialized tools: Some focus on the early detection of risks, others on end-to-end planning. What has been missing until now is an integrated approach. We show how the combination of both worlds is not only possible, but also significantly more effective - true to the motto: “1 + 1 > 2”.

KI verändert das Arbeitsleben – auch und gerade in der Logistik. Wie sehen die Jobs der Zukunft in Deutschlands drittgrößtem Wirtschaftsbereich aus?

Der Start-Up Award bietet jungen und aufstrebenden Unternehmen die einmalige Gelegenheit, ihre Geschäftsidee und ihre Lösungen einer hochkarätig besetzten Jury zu präsentieren und einem Fachpublikum zu pitchen.