Upcoming Trade Shows in China for Logistics & Transportation

The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for the rapid development of China’s logistics and transportation industry, which was already in a favourable position before the crisis. For decades, China has been an essential node in the global supply chain and while consumers in many countries only began to appreciate the convenience of online shopping and delivery during the pandemic, millions of delivery drivers have long been navigating Chinese cities. In response to surging demand, freight forwarders and third-party logistics (3PL) providers have been on the hunt for innovative strategies to enhance their services. Many companies are focusing on securing longer-term capacity, boosting their digital capabilities, and pursuing omnichannel integration to meet the evolving expectations of their customers. This surge in demand for logistics services has led to a significant uptick in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), initial public offerings (IPOs), and startup investments in China, which soared by over $7 billion in 2021 compared to the previous year. As a result, the distinctions between freight forwarders and contract logistics providers are increasingly becoming blurred. One landmark development in China’s logistics and transportation industry was the formation of the China Logistics Group in December 2021. With a registered capital of approximately $4.7 billion, this new logistics entity emerged from the merger of five state-owned enterprises, which makes it the largest logistics player in China by revenue. The newly established group comprises former entities such as the China Railway Materials Group, China National Materials Storage and Transportation, CTS International Logistics, China Logistics, and China National Packaging. Collectively, the China Logistics Group now directly operates 120 railway lines, manages 42 warehouses, and oversees 4.95 million square metres of additional storage facilities. It also boasts a global fleet of three million vehicles.