Freight Transport Center in Emsland

GVZ Emsland: Analysis of a top logistics region in the heart of Europe

What makes a logistics location not only good, but excellent? Is it just the geographical location? Or the perfect connection to all modes of transport? Perhaps it is the economic framework conditions that lead companies to success? The truth is: it is the intelligent symphony of all these factors. One place where this symphony is masterfully played is the Emsland freight village (GVZ). As one of the most efficient trimodal logistics centres in Germany, it has developed into a crucial hub for the national and international movement of goods. But what exactly is behind this success? This comprehensive location description dives deep into the matter, provides figures, data and facts and shows why the GVZ Emsland is far more than just an option for logistics and industrial companies - it is a strategic decision for the future.

General description: More than just a commercial area

The Emsland freight village, strategically located at the interface of the municipalities of Emsbüren and Salzbergen, is the result of visionary inter-municipal cooperation. A state-of-the-art logistics and industrial park has been built here on a total area of over 250 hectares, the heart of which is a high-performance container terminal. But the GVZ is much more than a collection of warehouses. It sees itself as an integrated system that intelligently networks manufacturing and logistics services. The goal: to create optimal conditions for efficient, cost-effective and sustainable handling of goods flows. Well thought-out planning enables short distances, fast turnaround times and the seamless linking of different modes of transport.

The location: A strategic bull's eye in European trade in goods

Perhaps the greatest strength of the GVZ Emsland is its geostrategic location. It is located exactly on the development axis between the Dutch ZARA ports (Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp) and the important economic areas in Northern and Eastern Europe.

• Direct west-east connection: The immediate proximity to the A30 motorway (Amsterdam-Berlin-Warsaw) makes the freight village an ideal gateway for continental trade.
• Strong north-south axis: The Schüttorf motorway junction (A30/A31) is only a few kilometres away and connects the Ruhr area as the largest European conurbation with the German seaports on the North Sea (Emden, Wilhelmshaven).

This positioning in the crosshairs of crucial European transport axes significantly minimizes transport times and costs. Companies in the Emsland freight village reach over 30 million consumers within a radius of only 200 kilometres. What potential does this reach open up for e-commerce and distribution centers? The answer is obvious: 24-hour delivery capability to some of the most affluent regions in Europe.

Trimodal perfection: Infrastructure as a decisive competitive advantage

The term "trimodal" is the key word that sets the GVZ Emsland apart from many other locations. It describes the direct connection to the three most important modes of transport: road, rail and water.

Road connection: The direct connection to the A30 and the quick accessibility of the A31 (Bottrop-Emden) ensure smooth arrival and departure for truck traffic without passing through towns. The infrastructure is designed for heavy-duty traffic and offers a congestion-free alternative to the often congested hubs in the metropolitan regions.

Rail connection: The heart of the GVZ is the CT terminal (combined transport), operated by KTL Kombi-Terminal Lingen GmbH. Containers and swap bodies between trucks and freight trains are handled here every day.

• Service: Several block trains per day connect the GVZ directly with the German seaports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven as well as with important European hubs such as Ludwigshafen or Verona.
• Capacity: The terminal has several transshipment tracks with a length of over 700 meters, which enables the handling of block trains without time-consuming shunting. Two gantry cranes ensure fast and reliable handling.

Water connection: The GVZ is connected to the Dortmund-Ems Canal via the nearby port of Spelle-Venhaus. This waterway connects the region directly with the Ruhr area, the German seaports and the European inland waterway network. This opens up a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport alternative, especially for bulk, bulk and heavy cargoes as well as for oversized project cargoes.

The nearest international cargo airport, Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO), can be reached in just about 30 minutes via the A30 and rounds off the multimodal offer.

Key facts and economic development at a glance

The dynamic development of the GVZ can best be expressed in numbers:

Economic development is characterized by continuous growth. The steady demand for space shows that the market has recognized the advantages of the location. Public investments in the further expansion of the infrastructure, such as the expansion of the terminal and the optimisation of traffic routes, ensure the future viability of the GVZ.

Settled companies: A strong industry ecosystem

The GVZ Emsland is home to an impressive mix of internationally active corporations and highly specialised medium-sized companies. Some of the most well-known names include:

• REWE Group: Operates a state-of-the-art, central logistics centre for the non-food sector.
• Dachser: The logistics service provider uses the freight village as an important hub for its European network.
• VSL Logistics: A specialist in warehouse logistics, contract logistics and value-added services.
• Liefergrün: A company specializing in sustainable last-mile logistics that takes advantage of its proximity to metropolitan areas.

This mixture of retail, freight forwarding and contract logistics creates valuable synergy effects. Short distances between companies enable cooperation and efficient bundling of goods flows, which ultimately reduces costs for all parties involved.

Rent and land prices: Where success is still affordable

Compared to the logistics hotspots in the metropolitan regions, the Emsland freight village offers extremely attractive economic conditions. But how is this reflected in the costs in concrete terms?

• Property prices: Fully developed commercial plots are available at prices between €45 and €65 per square metre, depending on location and size  (source: Emsland Economic Development Agency, as of 2024). In the A regions such as Hamburg or Munich, these prices are often many times higher.
• Rental prices for logistics properties: Rents for modern logistics halls (new construction quality) range from €4.50 to €5.50 per square metre (source: Colliers, Logistics Market Report, 2024). Here, too, the gap to the prime rents in the top 7 cities is significant.

These moderate cost structures relieve the balance sheet and enable companies to invest in their core processes, in automation and in qualified personnel.

Tax rates: Another plus point for the location

In addition to real estate costs, municipal taxes are an important factor in the location decision. The GVZ Emsland can also score points here:

• Trade tax rate (municipality of Emsbüren): 380 %
• Trade tax rate (municipality of Salzbergen): 395 %
• Property tax B assessment rate (Emsbüren): 380 %

(Source: Statistical offices, as of 2024)

In a nationwide comparison, these assessment rates are in the low to medium range and are significantly below the values of many large cities. This leads to a noticeable and lasting reduction in the tax burden for the companies located there.

Workers and skilled workers: The decisive factor human being

An excellent infrastructure is worthless without the people who fill it with life. The Emsland-Grafschaft Bentheim region is characterized by a high work ethic, a low unemployment rate and a strong identification of employees with their companies. But where do the necessary skilled workers come from?

• Catchment area: The GVZ is located in a densely populated region with a large catchment area that extends into the neighbouring Netherlands.
• Training and further education: A dense network of vocational schools, universities (e.g. Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences - Lingen Campus) and continuing education providers ensures the qualification of specialists in the fields of logistics, IT and technology.
• Regional initiatives: The Economic Development Agency and the "Emsland Logistics Network" are actively working to increase the attractiveness of the industry and proactively counteract the shortage of skilled workers, for example through job fairs and cooperation between schools and companies.

Conclusion: Why the GVZ Emsland is a strategic top choice

The Emsland freight transport centre is much more than just a well-located logistics park. It is a carefully composed ecosystem that provides companies with decisive competitive advantages. The unique combination of trimodal infrastructure, strategic location in the heart of Europe, attractive cost structures and a stable labour market makes it one of the most future-proof logistics locations in Germany.

For companies that want to optimize their supply chains, expand their reach in Europe and at the same time operate cost- and environmentally-efficient, there is hardly any way around the GVZ Emsland. It is a location that not only responds to the requirements of today's logistics, but also sets the course for the challenges of tomorrow.