NGlobal Magazin 01-2010

Niedersachsen Global www.nglobal.de 10 Logistics An air of intense activity lies over Hannover Airport. An Antonov 124, one of the largest cargo aircraft, is currently approaching the 3,800 m long north- ern airstrip. It is scheduled to fly two huge, high- performance compressors to the Middle East where they are to generate compressed air on one of the oil rigs. Not an easy task. The core piece of the machine alone, which also contains the prime motor, weighs 32.5tons. The ancillary unit adds another 26 tons to the total weight. Tricky jobs like this one are the daily business of the transport managers of Air Service Hannover GmbH (ASH). About 80,000tons of freight are shipped from Niedersachsen’s largest airport to all corners of the earth every year. ASH, a fully-owned subsidiary of Hannover Airport, has developed into an important service provider for the international logistics busi- ness. As the handling agent for 25 years, it is respon- sible for over 60 airlines and charter brokers starting and landing in Hannover. Along with the handling business the Hannover freight experts also offer ad- vanced services such as trucking, logistics services, mail services, customs examinations or the consolida- tion of shipments. Particularly in the freight charter business ASH in Hannover has become an established player. Be it spare parts deliveries with small aircraft or—as in the example above —a heavy goods ship- ment with the Antonov 124—ASH is competent for any kind of cargo. ASH is able to offer its customers video-controlled storage areas complying with all se- curity requirements, special zones for radioactive ship- ments, valuable cargo, perishable products, explosives as well as chilled goods. The airport in Hannover has developed into a logistic center of excellence. A total of 110 million euros have been invested in expanding the cargo and logistics ar- eas in recent years. The most important investment project is undisputedly the World Cargo Center. On the Airport Business Park West grounds, Garbe Lo- gistic AG is presently building a 20,000 square me- tre freight centre, specifically aligned to air cargo re- quirements. Being located on the apron the World Cargo Center gives, for example, direct access to the aircraft’s park positions. For the real estate developer Garbe, who operates offices in London, Paris, Istanbul and Moscow, Hannover represents a top logistics lo- cation. “The pivotal factors for our investment at the airport are the two parallel airstrips and the 24-hour operation, along with the high freight volume,” says Markus Wolf, Managing Director of the Garbe World Cargo Center. The main advantage of Hannover as a logistics location is the outstanding road infrastructure with direct links to motorways running in north-south and east-west directions. A location with a future: in the medium term the World Cargo Center plans in handle a transport volume of 160,000tons. Investment in Infrastructure Niedersachsen, centrally located and with an out- standing infrastructure, is an important hub and gateway for the European goods traffic. The central components of the logistics country are the transport routes. With the multi-lane highways A 1, A 2 and A 7, Nieder- sachsen is exceptionally well-integrated within the German and European long-distance road networks. The various regions in Niedersachsen are linked to- gether by an efficient, high-capacity network of mo- torways and federal major roads which also ensure effective access to the seaports. Altogether, Nieder- by Inka Ziegenhagen Flying postman. Two planes are operating on the routes to Munich and Stutt- gart five times a week, each carrying 15 tons of mail. Photo: Hannover Airport Hannover Airport is the central air freight re- loading point of Nieder- sachsen. With its central position, ideal traffic connections coupled with the airport infra- structure, which is suit- able for every kind of aircraft, and its no-com- petition expansion op- tions, Hannover Airport has become a logistic center of excellence.