12 June 2026 Federal Minister Peter Hanke presents logistics hub strategy Shaping the future of logistics together

Federal Minister Peter Hanke today presented together with representatives from business, science, social partnership, and public administration the new Austrian logistics hub strategy. It creates a common strategic framework for the further development of Austria as a modern, sustainable, and resilient logistics hub. With the official presentation on 12 June 2026, the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) takes stock of a compact, five-month working process and simultaneously initiates the next phase: concrete implementation. 

"Logistics often only becomes visible when it doesn't function. In fact, it keeps Austria moving every day – economically, socially, and increasingly also in terms of security policy. Efficient logistics is the prerequisite for companies to produce, businesses to be supplied, and for ensuring the supply to the population," emphasised Federal Minister Peter Hanke. 

The logistics and transport industry is considered one of the central, often underestimated drivers for the economic hub – it directly generates around 18.7 billion euros in gross value added and thus contributes about four per cent to Austria's economic output. More than 233,000 people are directly employed in the transport and traffic sector, and in logistics-related areas a total of over 400,000 people. At the same time, more than 42,000 companies are active in the transport industry, of which over 95 per cent are small and medium-sized enterprises. The industry connects industry, trade and consumers, keeps delivery chains running and ensures that products arrive in the right quality and quantity where they are needed.

The creation of the logistics hub strategy

The focus is on three developments that currently particularly shape the industry: the increasing shortage of skilled workers, digital transformation, and the pressure towards resilient value-added networks. The strategy itself was developed in a broadly based, transparent participation process. Stakeholders from business, science, social partnership, and administration were contacted and contributed more than 1,300 proposals. These were bundled, condensed, and divided into ten topic areas, from training and innovation to digitisation, spatial development, and security.

"The process was deliberately compact but openly designed. It was crucial to incorporate the industry's perspectives directly into the strategy," so emphasised Federal Minister Peter Hanke. 

100 measures for Austria's logistics hub

100 priority measure proposals were identified, including the modernisation of logistical training professions, better framework conditions for the shipping economy, and pilot projects for e-charging infrastructure in heavy transport. Additionally, a nationwide digital and machine-readable recording of driving bans will be created, a labour market monitor including analysis of skilled worker needs, the social infrastructure for lorry drivers expanded, and an innovation cluster that will enable the networking of logistics labs in cooperation with universities of applied sciences, universities, and companies.

Implementation follows the presentation

With the presentation on 12 June, the next phase also begins: Implementation should occur gradually, continuously, and together with the industry, social partners, administration, and interest groups, accompanied by coordination and monitoring structures. The aim is to make progress comprehensible and to not only plan measures but actually bring them into practice.

Open questions remain part of the process, especially where different interests meet. These should not be ignored but actively addressed and cooperatively worked on throughout the implementation process until a joint consensus can be achieved. Thus, the strategy sees itself less as a concluding report but more as a starting point for a longer-term further development of Austria's logistics hub. 

"Our aspiration is clear: Austria should not only be a transit country but belong to the most efficient, sustainable, and innovative logistics hubs in Europe. The strategy presented today is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a permanent implementation process. Together with business, regions, social partners, research, and educational institutions we will actively shape the future of the logistics hub," concluded Hanke.