CMA CGM plans new $450m terminal at Saudi port in JV investment deal CMA CGM and RSGT have signed a term sheet for a potential joint venture, investing $450m in building a fourth terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia. James McLoughlin
Nissan collaborates on eTruck charging infrastructure in UK, invests £1.4m Nissan’s e-truck charging station, which the OEM invested £1.4m ($1.9m) into, has gone live in Sunderland, UK. Nissan is looking at sharing the charging station with other logistics providers. Megan Kelly
James Todd Kloeb, former head of material planning and logistics for the Americas at Ford, joins Lucid Motors as global vice president of MP&L James Todd Kloeb announced the news on social media, with it following a three-decade long stint at Ford. His role is expected to encompass global supply chain planning. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
ChargePoint and Eaton announce a new collaboration aimed at tackling insufficient EV charging infrastructure The partnership allows the two companies to provide end-to-end solutions for EV infrastructure, including charging stations and engineering services. The goal is to roll these offerings out across the US, Canada and the UK. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen will work together on a new vehicle processing centre at the port of Drammen Drammen port in Norway is to benefit from a new vehicle processing centre which is being built and will be operated by a joint venture between Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen. Marcus Williams
Red Sofa interview | GM’s Amy Paulsen shares how lessons from EV start-ups are accelerating agility, innovation and infrastructure across GM’s FVL Amy Paulsen, director of finished vehicle logistics at GM, joins the Red Sofa at FVL North America to discuss how the company is modernising its logistics systems, digitalising its networks and strengthening EV infrastructure to support its growing electric vehicle portfolio. Drawing on her experience in EV start-ups, she highlights how GM is applying new thinking and technologies to build a more agile and resilient supply chain.
BMW’s hydrogen strategy embraces a technology-agnostic approach to reshape automotive logistics With increasing regulatory pressures and the urgent need to decarbonise operations, automotive leaders are exploring a range of technologies to future-proof their fleets. BMW Group’s latest move – introducing its first hydrogen-powered trucks as part of the European H2Haul pilot project – demonstrates how traditional logistics models are evolving. While electric trucks have been at the forefront of fleet decarbonisation, BMW’s investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology offers another versatile, scalable alternative for long-haul freight that warrants close analysis. Emily Uwemedimo
VW Group moves more than 1.2m vehicles through German port of Emden in 2024; almost 5% down on previous year Volkswagen Group imported and exported 1.2m vehicles through Emden port in 2024, including 419,000 battery electric vehicles and hybrids, and is bringing in a new dock and yard management system. Marcus Williams
North American supply chain under Trump: How the IRA pause affects the EV supply chain As Trump halts EV incentives, North America’s EV supply chain faces uncertainty. Automotive Logistics explores the logistics and market implications. Megan Kelly
Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Georgia Ports Authority officially open Brunswick vehicle and equipment processing complex Wallenius Wilhelmsen officially opened its South Atlantic Transportation and Logistics Mega Center with Georgia Ports Authority at the US port of Brunswick last week. Marcus Williams
Global automotive industry shifts intensify challenges for logistics providers The automotive supply chain is facing many hurdles this year, as set out in our key automotive logistics trends for 2025. Here, we look deeper at the fragmented nature of the industry, structural changes in flows and demand, and the effects of job losses in the second part of our series. Daniel Harrison
Volkswagen benefits from green logistics services provided by Duvenbeck and MAN Truck and Bus Duvenbeck’s use of MAN eTGX trucks will contribute to VW Group’s goTOzero impact logistics programme which aims to reduce CO2 emissions on road transport Marcus Williams
Mercedes-Benz Trucks delivers first eActros 600 units to transport customers and announces upgrades to Wörth plant charging infrastructure Mercedes-Benz Trucks will provide eActros 600 trucks to its own logistics providers from Q2 next year and is supporting emission-free inbound logistics with upgraded charging infrastructure at the Wörth plant in Germany Marcus Williams
Hyundai working with Glovis America on Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck rollout at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Hyundai Motor Group is working with Glovis America on the use of Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks for inbound logistics operations at its EV metaplant in the US Marcus Williams
BMW will use hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks for in-plant logistics at Regensburg from 2026 As part of its sustainability efforts, BMW will transition its in-plant logistics at Regensburg to hydrogen fuel cell technology, powering its tugger trains and forklift trucks. This move, under the iFactory initiative, aims to streamline operations and support the company’s carbon-neutral goals by reducing reliance on electric battery systems. Marcus Williams
VW’s Paulo Monteiro tackles “super extra complexity” with strategic matrix amid supply chain disruptions VW Group of America is tackling the complexity of supply chain disruptions with a flexible matrix of strategies, including commodities multiple sourcing, multiple product assembly capabilities and a strong, resilient and diverse workforce. Marcus Williams
Nissan among vehicle and equipment makers benefitting from massive expansion at Brunswick port Georgia Ports Authority has been investing big to expand services for vehicle and equipment makers at the port of Brunswick, in partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen and TransDevelopment Group, reports Marcus Williams
EV expert Amy Paulsen leads GM’s global vehicle logistics as Cristina Learman moves to purchasing An executive who has worked in roles as varied as the US Secret Service, to critical roles at EV makers like Tesla and Rivian, Amy Paulsen is now director of vehicle logistics for General Motors, as Cristina Learman takes a position outside logistics in global purchasing program management. Christopher Ludwig Marcus Williams
BMW’s secret to success is preparation The heads of global vehicle distribution at BMW Group – Eugen Schantini and Thomas Wiech – tell Marcus Williams about the network strategy and tools the carmaker is using to manage disruption, secure capacity and plan ahead for a more sustainable outbound supply chain Marcus Williams
Energy crunch eases to benefit European automotive parts sector After wreaking havoc on the supply chain and putting the European automotive industry’s competitiveness into question in 2022, energy tariffs reverted towards long-term inflation-adjusted averages last year. According to industry sources, a drop in energy costs was the key factor keeping the general operational costs of automotive components manufacturers at bay. Automotive Logistics
Red Sofa Interview: Navistar to use VW Group and Traton cross-docking in North America and Mexico Haley Wilson, logistics director at Navistar, is working with Volkswagen Group in North America and the wider Traton Group to enhance best practices, share processes and consolidation such as cross-docking, which will improve logistics while Navistar ramps up its EV production.
Delay to introduction of new rules of origin is a window of opportunity The proposed delay to the introduction of the new rules of origin is a window of opportunity for UK and European carmakers to accelerate all-electric vehicle (EV) design programmes, strengthen supply chains and put the right technical support and capabilities in place to meet demand in a fast-growing market. Sheena Patel
Red Sofa Interview: Collaborating with Mexican authorities to ease logistics constraints Lizette Gracida, senior director of external affairs and trade compliance at Toyota Motor de Mexico joins the Red Sofa at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico to share how collaboration can ease bottlenecks and improve logistics within the country.
Battery maker ACC uses specialist warehouse in northern France Logistics solutions company PSA BDP has opened a 22,000sq.m warehouse in Dunkirk, France that will provide specialist services for electric vehicle (EV) battery logistics, including for Automotive Cells Company (ACC). Megan Kelly
North American ports review: Co-operation helps calm the waters While vehicle volumes through North America’s gateway ports were sporadic in 2022, terminal operators have been working with port authorities to manage flows while investing for the return of stable volumes with more sustainable infrastructure. Marcus Williams
Amports invests in digital technology and EV infrastructure North American finished-vehicle processor Amports handled more than 1.5m vehicles across its eight terminal facilities in 2022 and spent the year improving infrastructure and applying new digital technology to make operations more efficient. Marcus Williams
Building a blueprint for battery logistics at PowerCo As PowerCo sets up battery cell production for VW Group, its logistics organisation, led by Matthias Braun, has set out a vision and framework that will take the best from automotive and chemical sectors, and forge a new benchmark in supply chain transparency and connectivity Christopher Ludwig
Watch: Equipping vehicle logistics networks for EVs Glovis America and EV charging provider Chargie discuss how vehicle logistics facilities and providers should prepare for EV growth.
Powering the electrified future As electric vehicle sales gather pace, particularly in Europe, the charging infrastructure is falling short of the required need and stoking a charge anxiety in potential buyers. Daniel Harrison talks to Christoph Erni, CEO of charging infrastructure provider Juice Technology, about challenges and opportunities that lie ahead Daniel Harrison
Europe’s electric future cannot be free of charge Carmakers in Europe are working against the clock to ensure they meet regulations on vehicle emissions by 2030, mainly through the electrification of the vehicles they make. However, those efforts are contingent upon there being an adequate charging infrastructure in place. Namrita Chow assesses the state of play Namrita Chow
Electrifying Europe: EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislation will transform the automotive supply chain The EU’s latest salvo to mitigate against climate change is the most radical yet, tightening emission targets more than previously announced and setting a timetable to eliminate combustion engines – all of which will ultimately transform automotive manufacturing and supply chain Daniel Harrison
VW unveils EV charging robot with potential to support outbound logistics Volkswagen Group Components has presented a mobile robot that can autonomously charge electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, offering a potential solution to keep EVs charged during storage in compounds. Illya Verpraet
Suppliers will charge the change: opportunities in the EV value chain While much focus is put on OEM plans to launch more electric vehicles, a great deal of the technology, value, production and services will come from both existing and emerging suppliers across the value chain. We expect many new opportunities for these companies over the next decade. Daniel Harrison
