Talkrunde mit Carsten Strähle (Geschäftsführer Hafen Stuttgart), Michael Giss (Kapitän zur See, Landeskommando Bundeswehr Baden-Württemberg), Marcel Lohbeck (Geschäftsführer BÖB), Nicole Razavi (Ministerin für Verkehr Baden-Württemberg) und Franz-Stefan Gady (Militäranalyst und Journalist). Foto: Steffen Schmid
Under the title “Inland Ports as Anchors of Crisis-Resilient Logistics in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty”, the annual conference of the German Federal Association of Public Inland Ports (Bundesverband Öffentlicher Binnenhäfen e. V., BÖB) took place in Stuttgart on 14 October 2026. Around 80 representatives from the port industry, logistics sector and industry associations discussed the growing importance of efficient transport infrastructure in maintaining civilian supply chains while also meeting military requirements.
Military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady used a range of scenarios to highlight the central role that Germany’s logistics and transport infrastructure plays in NATO defence planning and in supporting Ukraine. At the same time, transport hubs are increasingly exposed to hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and sabotage.
A key focus of the annual conference was therefore the question of how the already heavily used transport infrastructure can be strengthened to ensure civilian supplies even in times of crisis while also meeting military requirements. Participants also discussed how critical transport infrastructure and logistics hubs can be effectively protected.
The panel discussion featured Nicole Razavi, Minister of Transport for the State of Baden-Württemberg; military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady; Captain Michael Giss of the Baden-Württemberg State Command of the Bundeswehr; and Carsten Strähle, Managing Director of Hafen Stuttgart GmbH. The event was moderated by Marcel Lohbeck, Managing Director of BÖB.
The discussion made clear that security and crisis preparedness within the inland waterway transport system also need to be reconsidered in light of increasingly vulnerable logistics chains. Redundant transport infrastructure and multimodal logistics hubs provide an important foundation for resilient supply chains. Inland ports play a central role in this context by connecting the three modes of transport: inland waterways, rail and road.
The condition and capacity of existing infrastructure were also a key focus. BÖB Executive Committee member Carsten Strähle pointed out that the consequences of years of insufficient investment are becoming increasingly apparent, particularly with regard to military transport. At the same time, important reserve capacities, including diesel locomotives and specialised rail trailers, have been significantly reduced over recent decades.
Transport Minister Nicole Razavi emphasised the strategic importance of inland ports and federal waterways. She announced that the Conference of Transport Ministers would once again address the financing of waterways and inland ports on 21 and 22 October. In addition, the State of Baden-Württemberg is currently developing its own port strategy, including specific measures to strengthen the competitiveness and crisis resilience of its ports.
Joachim Zimmermann, President of BÖB, drew a clear conclusion: inland ports are key enablers of crisis-resilient logistics. However, they can only fulfil this role if the supporting transport infrastructure also functions reliably. BÖB is therefore calling on the German Federal Government to significantly increase investment in transport infrastructure and, in particular, to provide sufficient long-term funding for federal waterways.
With regard to the protection of critical infrastructure, Zimmermann also called for practical and proportionate solutions. Port and terminal operators are aware of their shared responsibility but cannot assume functions that fall within the remit of public authorities. Any new requirements must therefore be effective, practicable and accompanied by appropriate funding opportunities.