Top European Logistics Hubs — The Blue Banana
A recent report by Colliers International titled “Top European Logistics Hubs” compares the most mature and emerging logistics and industrial centers in Europe with each other against a series of key parameters that typically play a determining role in site selection for manufacturing and distribution. The report names Dusseldorf, Antwerp and Rotterdam as the best logistics hubs in Europe.
What is the Blue Banana? This is what Colliers calls the discontinuous corridor of cities that are strategically located in the economic heart of Europe and are the dominant locations for distribution.
These cities are strategically located at the economic heart of Europe, which spans the conurbation of cities stretching from the Netherlands, Belgium, Western and Southern Germany down to Switzerland and Northern Italy. Antwerp tops the list, followed closely by Rotterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf and Hamburg. The high score of most “Blue Banana” cities has also to do with their privileged position near some of Europe’s largest freight airports and seaports.
Other findings include:
—For manufacturing, look to Eastern Europe. The top three emerging markets are Kiev, Istanbul and Bratislava.
–Liege in Belgium and Lille in northern France offer a very good compromise between maximum access to market and low cost.
–Northern Italy offers excellent growth potential for the distribution activities with Milan and Bologna in a top 20 position, particularly given the expected increase in freight traffic through the northern Adriatic ports.
To read the full report, click here.
