Since 2008, Multimodal has been successfully building a supply chain and logistics community of shippers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters and the suppliers who support them writes Peter Bishop
Under the leadership of Robert Jervis, the logistics trade show runs the gamut from awards and networking to expo space representing the best in the supply chain, trucking and logistics industries.
Interest
This June I joined over 13,500 other delegates at the NEC in Birmingham for Multimodal 2025 after my interest had been piqued last November at Dubai’s Global Freight summit where I interviewed DP World’s chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
Hot topics
I visited a fair proportion of the stands of 300 exhibitors and estimated that there were about 90 companies in logistics, 60 in IT, 14 ports, a similar number of shipping lines, and a couple of dozen companies in training or professional services. The two hottest topics were digitisation in the shipping process, and artificial intelligence – how AI was making a difference (mainly for the better) in the industry.
The programme of conferences and seminars that ran throughout the three days reflected these trends and also covered the strategic importance of freeports, opportunities in rail freight, changing customs regulations, and sustainability.
Inspiring
The Multimodal Awards – all fifteen of them – at the event’s gala dinner celebrated the industry’s achievements. LCCI patron member DP World scooped two awards: the Port Company of the Year; and the Sustainability Company of the Year. As Jervis said, the world and its markets had undergone remarkable transformations in recent times, with change becoming the constant. He praised the adaptability of transport and logistics sector. “Your resilience in navigating geopolitical shifts, environmental challenges, and ever-present demand for greater efficiency and sustainability is truly inspiring.”
Next year’s Multimodal at NEC Birmingham takes place 30 June – 2 July
www.multimodal.org.uk
