VW is planning a new transshipment center in Venice – Bremerhaven is shaking!

VW is planning a new transshipment center in Venice – Bremerhaven is shaking!

The future of automotive logistics is taking on new shapes, as Volkswagen (VW) has ambitious plans for a new transshipment center in Venice. How news38 reports, the automotive giant wants to strengthen its presence in Central and Southern Europe. For this purpose, VW is relying on the Venice location, which, with its strategically favorable geographical location, offers the best conditions for a logistics hub.

The main objectives of this new project are to optimize vehicle distribution and strengthen logistics processes. Reducing CO₂ emissions in the supply chain plays a central role. “By establishing the Vezzani terminal in Venice, we want to significantly increase the efficiency of our transports,” said a Volkswagen spokesman. The project is led by the Vezzani company and the first ship deployment is scheduled for 2025.

A downer for Bremerhaven

But it's not just the ambitions in Venice that are remarkable; The plans also cast shadows on the port city of Bremerhaven. Around 1.3 million vehicles were transshipped in the Hanseatic city last year, and the new transshipment point could have a negative impact on business at the car terminal. The terminal operator BLG fears that the new location in Italy could result in loss of income. The Emden location, the third largest automobile transshipment port in Europe, also sees itself at risk from new competition.

Around 600 ships and 160,000 wagons arrive in Emden every year. The port also exports over 1.3 million vehicles, a third of which are electric vehicles. The conversion of the VW factory in Emden to electromobility shows the turnaround in the industry. Plant manager Enno Fehse emphasizes that over 8,000 employees on site benefit from the optimization of health, occupational safety and ergonomics.

Logistical advantages and investments in Venice

But why Venice? The port is intended to enable more efficient transport from southern and eastern European plants. How trans.info mentioned, the new location in the industrial port of Porto Marghera will be particularly important for the connection to Türkiye and Asia. With a RoRo terminal that offers space for up to 12,000 vehicles and has direct rail connections, those responsible expect to relieve the busy ports in Emden and Koper.

The Venice Port Authority is planning major investments in infrastructure to make vehicle logistics more flexible and sustainable. Weekly rail connections to Central and Eastern European markets as well as new ship transports to the Far East are also in preparation. This could not only revolutionize VW's logistics, but also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.

Despite the many changes, Volkswagen emphasizes that the new location in Venice represents a complementary element to the existing logistics network. Vehicles for North and South America will continue to be shipped via the tried and tested routes in Northern Germany. The company shows that it has a good hand for future changes in the auto industry while reducing environmental impact.