Freight Transport Center (GVZ) in Bremen

Location Analysis: Bremen Freight Center – Europe's Award-winning Logistics Heart

The Bremen freight center is considered one of the most impressive success stories in European logistics. Since its founding in 1985, it has developed into one of the leading and largest logistics hubs in Germany and Europe. But what exactly makes this location so irresistible for global logistics companies? What factors contribute to the fact that the GVZ Bremen regularly occupies top positions in national and international rankings?

This text dives deep into the subject matter and offers a comprehensive analysis of the site. We examine the hard infrastructure, the economic framework conditions and the soft factors that make the GVZ Bremen a powerhouse of freight handling. From trimodal connections to rental prices and tax rates to the skilled worker situation – this article provides the crucial figures, data and facts for logistics experts, investors and those interested in business.

General Description: The Concept and Dimensions of Success

The GVZ Bremen is much more than just a collection of warehouses. It is an intelligently planned and integrated system designed to bundle the flow of goods between different modes of transport as efficiently as possible. The basic idea of a freight village is to concentrate companies in the transport, logistics and distribution industry in a conveniently located location that is optimally connected to road, rail and, ideally, waterways.

The Bremen model has perfected this concept. On an impressive total area of around 500 hectares, the GVZ Bremen is home to over 150 companies, which together employ more than 8,000 people. This concentration creates synergies, shortens distances and optimizes processes – a decisive competitive advantage in today's fast-paced logistics world.

Key facts at a glance:

• Founded: 1985
• Total area: approx. 500 ha
• Companies based there: > 150
• Employees: > 8,000
• Storage area: > 1,200,000 m²
• Ranking: Regularly ranked 1st in the ranking of the European GVZ (Deutsche GVZ-Gesellschaft)

(Source: WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH, 2024)

The Strategic Location: At the Heart of the European Flow of Goods

The geographical location is the be-all and end-all for a logistics location. The GVZ Bremen scores here all along the line. It is located in the south of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, directly at the interface of important European transport axes. The immediate proximity to Bremen's seaports (Neustädter Hafen, industrial ports) and the excellent connection to the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven make it an ideal hinterland hub for maritime trade.

From Bremen, the major German and European economic centres such as Hamburg, Hanover, the Ruhr area, but also the Benelux countries and Scandinavia can be reached quickly. This central location minimizes transport times and costs and enables flexible and fast distribution in all directions.

Superlative Infrastructure: The Trimodal Advantage

The heart and decisive success factor of the GVZ Bremen is its excellent trimodal connection. But what does "trimodal" mean in practice and what concrete benefits does it offer local companies? Trimodality means the seamless linking of the three main modes of transport: road, rail and water.

Road connection

The GVZ is located directly on the A 281 motorway, which serves as a feeder road to the A 1 (Hamburg – Ruhr area) and A 27 (Cuxhaven – Hanover). This direct motorway connection without local thoroughfares is an invaluable advantage. It guarantees a fast and congestion-free flow of traffic for trucks and ensures planning security in the tightly timed supply chains.

Rail connection – The Roland intermodal terminal

A central element is the terminal for combined transport (CT), which is operated by Roland Umschlaggesellschaft. This terminal is one of the most powerful facilities of its kind in Europe.

• Tracks: 7 transshipment tracks (700 m each), 4 sidings
• Cranes: 4 gantry cranes
• Handling capacity: approx. 850,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) per year
• Connections: Daily and several times daily block train connections to all important German and European economic centres and seaports (e.g. Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, Munich, Verona, Vienna).

This high-performance rail connection makes it possible to transport large quantities of goods over long distances in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner, thus relieving the roads.

Water connection

Via the nearby Neustädter Hafen, which is only a few kilometres away, there is a direct connection to the Lower Weser and thus to the North Sea. This enables the transport of goods by inland waterway or coaster and closes the circle of trimodality. Especially for heavy or bulky goods, the waterway is a cost-effective and ecologically sensible alternative.

Connection to air traffic

Bremen International Airport (BRE) is only about 15 minutes by car from the GVZ. This is particularly important for time-critical shipments (air freight replacement service) and the fast arrival and departure of business partners.

Top Logistics Region: Why Bremen is Ahead

The excellent infrastructure alone does not explain the overall success. Bremen has established itself as one of the leading logistics regions in Germany. But why is that? The reason lies in a perfectly balanced ecosystem:

1. Port expertise: The maritime tradition that has grown over centuries and the know-how in the areas of maritime trade, port management and customs clearance are deeply anchored in the region's DNA.
2. Industry diversity: In addition to classic trade and distribution logistics, highly specialised logistics service providers have settled in Bremen and the GVZ, especially in the areas of automotive logistics, contract logistics, food logistics and project logistics.
3. Science and research: The proximity to institutions such as Jacobs University, the University of Bremen and the University of Applied Sciences with their logistics courses ensures a steady flow of innovations and qualified young talent.
4. Supportive environment: WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH acts as a proactive partner for resident companies and those interested in settling in Bremen and provides support with approval procedures and site development.

Companies Located here: A "Who's Who" of the Logistics Industry

The attractiveness of the GVZ Bremen is reflected in the list of companies based there. Here, global players can be found alongside highly specialized medium-sized companies. This mix promotes competition, but also cooperation.

Examples of resident companies:

• Dachser SE: One of Europe's largest logistics companies operates an important logistics center for its European logistics network in the freight village.
• BLG Logistics Group: The long-established Bremen-based company has a strong presence in the freight village and offers complex contract logistics solutions, especially for the automotive and retail industries.
• Kuehne + Nagel: The global logistics service provider uses the freight village for sea freight-related services and contract logistics.
• DHL: With various business units, including DHL Freight and DHL Supply Chain, Deutsche Post DHL Group is also a key player in the GVZ.
• Tchibo: The coffee roaster and retail group operates one of its largest and most modern high-bay warehouses here for the distribution of its non-food items.

This concentration leads to a comprehensive service portfolio directly on site – from simple storage to value-added services such as packaging and quality control to complex supply chain management.

Economic conditions: A look at costs and taxes

For a business location decision, the hard facts about costs and charges are of decisive importance. How attractive is the GVZ Bremen from a financial point of view?

Rental and land prices

Prices for logistics real estate have risen in all top regions of Germany in recent years. However, the GVZ Bremen is at a more moderate level here compared to hotspots such as Hamburg or Munich.

• Prime rent for logistics space: Rents for modern, high-quality logistics properties (new construction quality) in Bremen range from around €6.50 to €7.50 per square meter per month. In individual cases, higher prices can also be called up for special requirements.
• Land prices: Fully developed commercial properties in the GVZ area are highly sought after due to the high demand and limited availability. Prices vary depending on the location and layout, but are at a competitive level compared to other A locations. Exact prices are usually negotiated by WFB Bremen on request.

(Source: Various logistics real estate market reports, e.g. by Colliers, JLL, as of 2023/2024)

Tax rates

Municipal tax rates are an important factor for the ongoing burden on a company.

• Trade tax rate: The city of Bremen has a trade tax rate of 460%. In a nationwide comparison, this value is in the middle of the field for large cities.
• Property tax B assessment rate: The assessment rate for property tax B (for developed and undeveloped properties) in Bremen is 695%.

(Source: Bremen State Statistical Office, as of 2024)

Companies should include these rates in their overall calculation. The excellent infrastructure and operational advantages can often more than compensate for the higher tax rates compared to rural regions.

The People behind Success: Workers and Skilled Workers

A modern logistics facility is only as good as the people who operate it. What is the situation on the labour market in and around Bremen?

The Bremen/Oldenburg metropolitan region has a large catchment area of workers. There is a long tradition in industry and logistics, which leads to a high availability of industrial employees (e.g. warehouse specialists, forklift drivers, order pickers).

In the area of skilled workers, the location benefits from the universities already mentioned. Graduates of the logistics and business administration courses will find attractive entry and career opportunities in the GVZ and the surrounding companies. Nevertheless, the competition for qualified specialists – as in the whole of Germany – is intense. Companies that invest in training, further education and attractive working conditions have the best chances here. Initiatives such as the "Day of Logistics" or cooperations between companies and educational institutions help to inspire young talents for the industry.

Special Features and Future: What makes the GVZ Bremen Unique

In addition to the strengths already mentioned, there are some special features that make the GVZ Bremen stand out from the crowd:

• The "high-bay warehouse of short distances": The GVZ is famous for its high density of modern high-bay warehouses. This enables extremely space-efficient storage and fast processing.
• Focus on sustainability: Aspects of sustainability are increasingly being taken into account. These include the promotion of combined transport to reduce CO2 emissions, the installation of photovoltaic systems on the huge roof areas of the warehouses and the development of concepts for a more environmentally friendly last mile.
• Constant development: The GVZ is not a static structure. We are continuously working on extensions and optimizations in order to meet future requirements. Current plans envisage the development of further areas and the modernisation of existing infrastructure in order to further increase capacity.

Conclusion: A first-class location with strategic vision

Bremen's freight transport centre is more than just a logistics hotspot. It is a vibrant, highly functional ecosystem based on smart planning, unbeatable trimodal infrastructure, and a strong economic environment.

The combination of strategic location, direct connection to the global sea routes, a high-performance CT terminal and a competitive cost-benefit ratio makes the GVZ Bremen one of the top addresses for logistics and distribution companies in Europe. For companies looking for a location that combines efficiency, growth and future-proofing, there is hardly any way around the GVZ Bremen. It remains a prime example of how well thought-out infrastructure policy and economic foresight can lead a location to the top of Europe.