As a record number of visitors filtered through the doors of Multimodal 2024, they were greeted with an array of top-quality speakers spanning four packed conference sessions.
Multimodal 2024 saw a 15% increase in visitor registrations, which became evident after a successful first day, with this year’s sell-out exhibition welcoming more thought-provoking talks and fierce panel discussions than ever before. The conference was abuzz with hotly debated topics such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, and the Peak Season preview.
The day opened with a panel discussion, with experts from Maersk, MDS Transmodal, Logistics UK, Breeze and DP World, previewing this year’s Peak Season. In this insightful session, the impacts of the Red Sea crisis were discussed, and the panel agreed that the supply chain is becoming more resilient to disruption. Supply and demand continue to be complex, but the industry is responding with an increased number of vessels, travelling faster and being fully utilised.
Sustainability was a trending topic on the opening day, and guests were spoilt for choice when it came to finding out more about what the future may hold for the industry. Sandra Cooper, Trade and Customs Specialist at the Institute of Export & International Trade gave an insightful seminar on the new environmental standards and requirements that are being introduced in the UK and abroad – including the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
Experts called for the industry to utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) to gain a competitive advantage. Speakers from Maesrk, L.E.K. Consulting, Port Skills & Safety, RailX Digital Solutions, Customaite and Problems Solved, discussed how AI is reshaping the future of logistics transport by streamlining complex management systems.
They discussed how AI aids decision-making and improves efficiency. Dawn Rasmussen, CEO & Co-Owner at Problems Solved said, “AI can speed up the decision-making process, especially when the unexpected happens. It allows you to crunch data quickly, allowing quicker decision making.”
Event Director Robert Jervis commented on this year’s speaker line-up, saying: “Each year, the quality of presentations surpasses our expectations, it is phenomenal and is proved by the buzz and excitement felt across the exhibition by visitors and exhibitors alike. This year, it’s been great to shine an even bigger spotlight on important topics such as sustainability and AI.”
