In the world of trade, development is continuous and never-ending. World trade is now recovering from the economic crisis and its volume is expected to increase. The growth trend will surely continue, as globalization and the development of technologies open all regions of the world for the flow of goods from different countries.
The new business models
The new trend in the trade patterns is the way of growth – it is not the same as before. New trading schemes cover more countries. Unlike the trade until now, dominated by North America and Europe, there are new emerging regions in the market area, that are becoming increasingly important for the global economy. Currently, the share of Asia in world trade regarding the export is greater than the combined shares of North America and Europe. As regard to import, North America and Europe still dominate, but Asia is overtaking them fast.
How modern logistics can respond to the challenges
With the changing trade patterns logistics must increasingly focus on emerging markets. They cover not only the Asian market. Besides it, there are attractive new markets in Africa and Latin America. Now the task of logistics is benefit from the changes in the trade flows.
Offering services for Asian goods and products
Until now, focusing mainly on European market, logistics companies need to change their focus – to provide services for Asian goods and products. They should also offer services such as assembly and packaging. The Dutch city of Limburg is already an example in this regard. It offers such additional logistics services.
Offering logistics services to new regions
With the increasing importance of Asia as a trading factor worldwide, logistics companies must adapt to this new factor and begin to offer logistics services in Asia. This also applies to other regions with emerging markets, such as Africa and Latin America.
The example of Limburg: development of transport links and expanding opportunities for import and export
The example of this Dutch city shows successful adaptation of modern logistics to changing patterns of global trade. Due to the introduction of additional logistic services, Limburg begins to prevail over other regions in Europe. It is expected, that in the near future the Port of Rotterdam will increase its importance for the European trade. For Limburg itself, the task is not only to maintain and dominate, but also to develop future rail and road links to Rotterdam. As part of this goal, recently a new rail terminal in Lanaken-Maastricht was opened, in order to improve the connection with Germany.