Germany

ESG & Regulation

5U AI raises $3.2M to scale freight-agentic AI platform

Munich-based 5U AI has raised $3.2 million in pre-seed funding to scale its freight-agentic AI platform across Europe. Co-founded in 2025 by Technical University of Munich graduates Yagiz Abik and Fehmi Şener, the startup deploys multi-agent AI workers that execute operational tasks — from quotations and bookings to invoice reconciliation — while capturing decision logic to build institutional knowledge. Backed by ex-leaders from DHL, Maersk, DSV, GEODIS, and CEVA Logistics, 5U AI is already live with TCI International Logistics across air and ocean freight. The round, led by London’s Emerge Capital, supports product development and European go-to-market expansion.

2026-07-31

Europe Supply Chain

Verdion completes €310M European Logistics Fund with Leipzig warehouse fully leased

Verdion has fully leased its 11,872m² Leipzig warehouse—completing the speculative development phase of its €310 million Verdion European Logistics Fund 1 (VELF 1), launched in September 2020. The asset, certified to DGNB Gold, was acquired on a 40,000m² site in 2021 and now hosts a major textile service provider. An adjacent 8,500m² building is occupied by overnight express provider nox. Located between the A9 and A38 motorways near Leipzig/Halle Airport, the site exemplifies demand for sustainable, well-connected urban logistics infrastructure across Northern Europe.

2026-07-30

Manufacturing

Maersk raises intra-North Europe capacity by 28%, market share to 16.2%

Maersk increased its intra-North Europe container capacity by 28% year-on-year — from 39,800 TEU to 50,800 TEU — lifting its market share to 16.2%. The trade lane overall grew 6.8% to 243 vessels averaging 1,294 TEU. CLdN’s acquisition of Samskip’s UK–Europe services halved Samskip’s capacity (9,600 TEU → 5,800 TEU) and dropped its ranking from 7th to 14th. MSC’s share dipped slightly to 21.2%, while CMA CGM fell to fourth place with 9.6% share. Maersk added 14,300 TEU via two new Baltic feeders, including the methanol-fueled Laura Maersk (2,100 TEU).

2026-07-30

Manufacturing

EU €3 tariff cuts Asia-Europe air cargo 24% in 5 weeks

Freighter capacity into Europe dropped 14% month-on-month in July 2026, equaling 18 fewer widebody flights daily, following the EU’s €3 customs duty on parcels under €150 introduced 1 July. Hong Kong–Europe air cargo volumes plunged 24% year-on-year by mid-July, with five straight weekly declines. Tonnages from mainland China fell 10% YoY; combined China–Hong Kong volumes to Europe dropped 11% YoY across weeks 26–29. Vietnam and Thailand saw 9% and 11% YoY declines respectively. A €2 handling fee takes effect 1 November 2026, ahead of the EU Customs Data Hub launch in 2028.

2026-07-29

Geopolitics

China adds 14 EU entities to export control list

China’s Ministry of Commerce added 14 EU-based entities—including Germany’s Rheinmetall, Italy’s Lafert, and France’s Cavok UAS—to its export control list on 24 July 2026. The move, effective immediately, prohibits exports of dual-use items (e.g., certain rare earth elements) from China to these firms. It follows the EU’s 21st round of Russia sanctions, which targeted 14 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong. The EU’s broader list covered 51 entities across China, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, and the UAE. This marks a significant escalation in regulatory tit-for-tat, directly impacting global supply chains for defense, drones, and advanced manufacturing.

2026-07-27

Southeast Asia Supply Chain

German Firm Inks Deal for Southeast Asia’s Largest A-Grade Logistics Complex in Vietnam

A German logistics developer has signed an agreement to construct Southeast Asia’s largest A-grade logistics complex in Vietnam’s Hiệp Phước Industrial Park. The move comes amid structural constraints in Vietnam’s domestic logistics sector — where foreign firms control 80% of import-export cargo flows — and rising demand from electronics (24% of park tenants) and food processing (11%) industries. Parallel development is underway at Becamex–Bình Phước Industrial Park, with 27 investors operational, 10 under construction, and 35 in legal setup. Workforce retention is being addressed via BIDV MetLife’s 'Future Gift' long-term welfare product.

2026-07-26

AI & Automation

TCS Study: 77% of Manufacturers Expect Transformative AI Warehouse Impact

A Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) study of 300 manufacturers across North America and Europe reveals that 77% expect transformative impact from Physical AI in warehouse operations — the highest among all functions. Released in July 2026, the report shows 26% plan to increase AI spending, 42% anticipate significant workforce augmentation, and 68% remain in experimental or non-deployment stages. Key barriers include legacy system integration, data infrastructure, and workforce skills. Governance gaps persist: 44% lack formal accountability for AI failures, and 40% are unprepared for emerging regulations.

2026-07-25

AI & Automation

Trimble sells transportation division, including Transporeon and PeopleNet

Trimble is selling its transportation division, which includes Transporeon and PeopleNet, amid mounting challenges integrating disparate carrier and shipper technology platforms. The divestiture—expected to close before end-2026—reflects broader industry shifts toward modular, API-first logistics software and growing pressure on vendors to specialize rather than consolidate. Integration difficulties between Transporeon’s EU-focused SaaS model and PeopleNet’s North American telematics infrastructure proved operationally costly. Upcoming FreightWaves events in Chattanooga, TN, on October 26–28, 2026—including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium and F3: Future of Freight Festival—will address related regulatory, risk, and technology alignment issues facing supply chain professionals.

2026-07-24

ESG & Regulation

Asuene Acquires Secaro for $37M to Expand Supply Chain Carbon Tools

Tokyo-based Asuene acquired UK-based Secaro, a supply chain carbon management platform, for $37 million on July 23, 2026. The deal supports Asuene’s expansion into the UK, EU, and US sustainability disclosure markets amid tightening regulations like the EU’s CSRD and the UK’s 2027 mandatory ISSB-aligned reporting. Secaro — launched in 2018 and rebranded last year — serves major automotive and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Asuene had just raised $87 million in Series D funding, co-led by BlackRock and Temasek’s Decarbonization Partners. The integration aims to strengthen global product-level CO2 and LCA capabilities.

2026-07-24

Manufacturing

Tesla ramps up Berlin output to 7,500 Model Y weekly by Oct 2026

Tesla is targeting 7,500 Model Y units per week from its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg by October 2026 — a 20% jump from July 2026 output of 6,200 units weekly. The expansion supports exports to over 30 markets and includes hiring 3,500 new workers since April 2026. Battery cell production capacity will scale to 8–18 GWh annually. The factory remains below its 375,000-unit annual capacity, and past expansion plans have faced temporary freezes amid market shifts.

2026-07-22

Procurement

Leidos, DHL ink alliance to bid for UK MOD’s 10-year defense logistics contract

Leidos and DHL Supply Chain have formed the Logistics & Mission Support Alliance to bid for the UK Ministry of Defence’s 10-year Future Defence Support Services (FDSS) contract, launching in Q2 2026. The partnership integrates Leidos’ defense systems expertise with DHL’s global logistics scale and digital capabilities—including AI, data analytics, and automation—to enhance supply chain resilience, visibility, and agility across over 40 UK military sites. Adam Clarke, CEO of Leidos UK & Europe, and Martin Willmor, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK&I, jointly emphasized data-driven decision-making and rapid response capacity in contested environments. The MOD aims to replace legacy logistics frameworks established in 2014.

2026-07-22

AI & Automation

DKV acquires majority stake in Tolltickets for European EETS expansion

DKV Mobility has acquired a majority stake in tolltickets GmbH, a certified European toll solutions provider based in Rosenheim, Germany. The deal grants DKV access to Tolltickets’ platform for the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS), enabling single-unit toll settlement across multiple countries. Kapsch TrafficCom AG retains a minority stake. Founded in 2007, Tolltickets serves over 100,000 vehicles across 15 European countries and employs approximately 60 people. The transaction requires regulatory approval and is expected to close by end-2026.

2026-07-21