Transport Logistic 2025: intensifying competition for logistic real estate

At Transport Logistic 2025 in held in Munich (2 to 5 June), Richard Betts, founding partner of Real Asset Media, shared his impressions of one of the world’s leading transport and logistics events.

The fair expanded to 12 halls this year — an increase of two compared to 2023 — and attracted over 75,000 attendees.

“From my side I can see that it's a lot more international than it has been in previous editions.”

He highlighted Hall B5, where real estate was a core focus, but emphasised the event’s broader relevance across the logistics ecosystem.

“In Hall B5, there's a lot of focus on real estate, but what's interesting about this fair is that there's also a very big focus on the occupier side as well as the real estate side.”

Real Asset Media contributed to the official conference programme by hosting a session on the future of logistics spaces, with discussion focused on location decisions, investor requirements, opportunities and regulatory challenges.

“We're hosting a session here as part of the official programme looking at the future of logistics spaces — what that means in terms of locations and what some of the key trends are that are driving logistics. One of the key takeaways from that was that sustainability is still a very big driver, both in terms of the occupier but also in terms of the investor, and there's a big focus as well on energy and regulation — those kinds of elements that are creating a challenge for logistics going forward.”

Betts also flagged intensifying competition for premium sites as an important concern, with new asset classes entering the fray.

“A key focus as well was being able to access the space, because competition for really prime areas is beginning to grow, with also areas like data centres being active in the market.”

He concluded by linking these pressures to wider shifts in global trade patterns, noting that increased demand for logistics space is being driven by multiple overlapping forces.

“The scarcity of locations is really going to drive competition and, as well, we are looking at changing supply chains. When we're looking at near shoring, deglobalisation, changes in globalisation — that all leads to additional space needed for logistics.

"So, one of the key elements here is how's that going to be shown in the market, and top logistics locations for the future; particularly areas around ports where we're going to see increased activity, large global hubs — so it's going to be fascinating to see how that develops."

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