Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Wednesday, 21.10.2026

11:00 - 11:30

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Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Workshops

Supply Chain X: Supply Chains Between Sanctions and Free Trade – How Logistics Leaders Secure Resilience and Cut Costs With a Robust, Practical, Day-to-Day Customs and Export Control Strategy

International supply chains and logistics networks are increasingly affected by tariffs and sanctions regimes. — Geopolitical factors behind this often include trade interests as well as crises and conflicts; the result is higher customs and logistics costs and disruptions.Resilient supply chain planning can therefore no longer do without a robust customs and export control strategy that is also practicable in day-to-day operations. At the same time, it is essential to identify compliance requirements and implement them efficiently and in a way that minimizes risk within the company’s busine

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With the kind support of

Speaker

Michael Tomuscheit

Managing Partner | AWB | Tax | Law | Consulting

11:15 - 12:15

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Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Main Stage

Ready for Action in Any Situation: Resilient Partnerships Between the Private Sector and the Armed Forces

What are the prerequisites for ensuring that civil-military logistics chains function reliably—both in routine operations and during military emergencies? In this panel discussion, participants will draw on best practices and lessons learned from collaborations to demonstrate which models work between civilian actors and military users. They will discuss roles and responsibilities, relevant standards, secure and efficient data and interfaces, as well as the necessity of information exchange. Findings from a recent study by BVL and strategy& on defense logistics among logistics service providers will complement the discussion. The session provides guidance on how to approach civil-military partnerships in a way that ensures resilience, legal and cybersecurity compliance, and technological interoperability, in order to derive clear priorities for investment, partner selection, and implementation.

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Moderation

Michael Quaden

Program Director Defense Solutions | FIEGE

Speaker

Major General Jochen Deuer

Commander of the Bundeswehr Logistics Command | Bundeswehr

Speaker

Matthias Magnor

Chairman of the Board of Directors | BLG

Board | BVL

Speaker

Daniel Zittel

Chief Sales Officer Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks | Daimler Truck AG

Speaker

Albert Zimmermann

Partner | Strategy&

Speaker

Klaus Lübbers

COO DIRKS Group und CEO DIRKS Defence | DIRKS Group

11:15 - 12:15

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Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Innovation Strategies in Technology & Automation

Kaleidoscope Stage

China as a Tech Superpower: What Does This Mean for Europe’s Supply Chains, and What Can We Do?

China is shifting costs, availability, and power structures in global supply chains—faster than many companies can react. The forces driving this dynamic are no coincidence: They are the result of targeted industrial policy, massive scale, and a pace of commercialization that Western companies often underestimate.
In this session, we’ll provide an objective and strategic overview of technological developments, including where China leads today and why; which sectors are particularly influenced by China’s technological momentum and industrial policy; what this means for Europe; and which strategy makes sense for your company—whether it’s cooperation, competition, coexistence, or targeted diversification.
Your takeaway: No scaremongering, no blind optimism—but clear guidance and concrete criteria for sourcing, risk, and investment decisions.

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Moderation

Dr. Kerstin Höfle

CTO | Syncore

Board | BVL

Speaker

Ulrike Tagscherer

Managing Director | China Innovation Consulting

13:30 - 14:30

Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Logistics Service Providers

Main Stage

DELIVER.NOW. Supply Chain Leadership in October 2026: Urgent Issues, Clear Moves

Supply chains are changing fast. Driven by geopolitics, disruptions, capacity shifts, regulation and cost. This mainstage plenary panel focuses on the October 2026 agenda and what it requires from senior leaders in industry and logistics services: which issues need decisions now, which trade-offs are unavoidable, and where targeted investment strengthens resilience and Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The discussion provides a structured reference to set priorities and outline practical options.

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Moderation

Markus Bangen

Board and CEO | BVL

CEO | duisport

Speaker

Cristina-Maria Danila

Head of Global Supply Chain & Logistics | Covestro

Speaker

François-Régis Le Tourneau

VP Corporate Responsibility | L'Oréal

Advisory Board | BVL

Speaker

Christoph Hemmann

Global Head of Forwarding | Maersk

16:00 - 16:45

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Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

AI & Machine Learning

Main Stage

Volatility as the New Normal: Inflation, Interest Rates, and Geopolitics Are Changing the Rules of the Global Economy

What scenarios will shape 2027? What will be the consequences of the 2026 US mid-term elections, how will the war in Ukraine unfold, and what will happen in the Middle East? What does this mean for energy prices, trade and risks? How will central banks respond? This session distils complex macro drivers into robust scenarios and a ‘watchlist’ of leading indicators, enabling strategists and senior decision-makers to identify risks earlier and make more robust decisions on network design, procurement and hedging. It also provides guidance on which factors are currently truly driving prices – and which are merely noise.

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Moderation

Sebastian Reimann

Editor-in-Chief | Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung

Speaker

Dr. Vincent Stamer

Senior Economist | Commerzbank AG

17:00 - 18:00

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Digitalization of Supply Chains

Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Kaleidoscope Stage

Supply Chains in the Spotlight – Cyber Governance Rather Than a Patchwork Approach: Roles, Decision-Making, and Cooperation Between the State, the Bundeswehr, and the Private Sector

Digitalisation makes supply chains faster and more resilient – but also more vulnerable. A panel discussion will examine how companies can protect themselves, their products and their supply chains – as critical infrastructure – against attacks by criminals and suspected (quasi-)state actors: What strategic guidelines and support services are available from the authorities; what military situational assessments and principles does the Bundeswehr contribute; and what governance, role and decision-making models do companies need at the top level? This exchange can serve as a framework for refining priorities and identifying possible next steps.

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Moderation

Alpha Barry

CEO | secida AG

Speaker

Hannelore Mayr

CEO | CIM

Speaker

Manuel Bach

BSI - Head of the Cybersecurity Division for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) | Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik

Speaker

Generalleutnant Michael Vetter

Director-General and Chief Information Officer | Bundesministerium der Verteidigung

Advisory Board | BVL

Speaker

Petra Schlör

Chief Information Security Officer | SSI SCHÄFER

17:15 - 18:00

Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Logistics Service Providers

CurioStage

Unlocking Trade Potential: The Role of the Trans-Caspian Corridor in Global Supply Chains

This session highlights the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) for strengthening trade flows between Asia and Europe. It demonstrates how businesses can utilise the corridor to optimise their supply chains, reduce transport costs and tap into new markets. Furthermore, the session will discuss the key benefits of the corridor for international trade, as well as practical approaches to overcoming logistical and regulatory challenges. Successful case studies will illustrate its contribution to business growth, regional connectivity and more efficient multimodal transport. For German and European companies, the session offers the opportunity to engage directly with representatives of transport and logistics associations, as well as companies from Central Asia and the South Caucasus, to learn about current market and industry developments, and to identify concrete opportunities for business partnerships and the expansion of their activities along the Trans-Caspian Corridor.

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Moderation

Mirco Nowak

Business owner | LUNO Export & Logistics Services GmbH

Thursday, 22.10.2026

13:45 - 14:30

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Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

LogTech Stage

From Startup to Operational Scenario: Innovations for Civil and Military Logistics

Geopolitical tensions, cyber risks, and volatile markets make it clear that resilience is no longer achievable without rapid technology adoption. The panel will highlight dual-use applications that can have an impact in both civilian logistics and the Bundeswehr ecosystem, and how startups, research institutions, and established providers can work together to move from pilot projects to full-scale implementation. The panelists will also address legal guidelines in a practical manner. In a discussion among various experts, specific use cases, suitable partnership paths, and next steps will be explored to provide impetus and highlight opportunities for piloting innovations in a legally compliant manner and rapidly transitioning them into robust, mission-ready logistics processes.

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Moderation

Kerry Hoppe

Host | Munich Security Breakfast

Speaker

Lippold von Oldershausen

Founder & CEO | BASED, de:hub Security & Defense

Speaker

Dr.-Ing. Dominik Heeschen

Patentanwalt, European Patent Attorney | Heeschen Pültz Patentanwälte

Speaker

Dr. Maik Schürmeyer

Managing Director | MANSIO

Speaker

Andreas Janßen

Chief Operating Officer | Dirks Group

Speaker

Sven Weizenegger

Head and CEO | Cyber Innovation Hub der Bundeswehr

15:00 - 16:30

Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Main Stage

Supply Chain Resilience – How to Promote Prosperity in Europe

Over the past two years, Europe has had to significantly adjust its perspective. This is particularly evident in the political sphere (the U.S.’s new stance toward Europe, wars in neighboring regions, uncertainty as a new normal), but it is also having a noticeable impact on businesses. 

Tariffs, sanctions, export and import restrictions, and geopolitical upheavals are straining global supply chains and trade relations. 
The panel will examine the responses and forward-looking strategies of business stakeholders, as well as upcoming challenges and opportunities for Germany and Europe. The panelists will offer diverse perspectives and discuss the necessary economic actions and options for flexibility, resilience, and economic success.

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Moderation

Ilse Henne

Deputy Chairwoman of the Management Board | BVL

Member of the Board | Thyssenkrupp

Speaker

Jens Birgersson

CEO and Chairman of the Management Board | Brenntag SE

Speaker

Prof. Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Ischinger

Chairman | Munich Security Conference

Speaker

Leonard Wessendorff

Co-Founder and CEO | Project Q

Speaker

Susanne Marell

Boardmember | Schwarz Gruppe