LogDynamics
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Projects - Awards - International - Events - Retrospect - Publications - Videos
June 2025
Innovation Community “Smartport Transfer” Celebrates Kick-off Event
On May 22, 2025, the kick-off event of the “Smartport Transfer” (SPorT) innovation community took place at the German Emigration Center Bremerhaven, which was very well received with around 90 participants. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space in the DATIpilot program, SPorT combines science and business to strengthen the ports of Bremen through digitalization and automation. In cooperation with the University of Bremen (LogDynamics), the ISL and the ports, innovative solutions for handling processes, terminal processes and the networking of ship and hinterland transport are being developed. SPorT focuses on people-centered technologies to increase the competitiveness and resilience of German ports and would like to gain further members from the region.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Frank Arendt, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag
Details
Image: bremenports GmbH & Co. KG. Robert Howe, Prof. Dr. Michal Kucera, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag, Martina Wellbrock, Prof. Dr. Frank Arendt, Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen (from the left)
Smartport Living Lab: Digital Future for the Ports of Bremen
The ports of Bremen need greater digitalization and automation of their processes. In cooperation with five research institutes in Bremen and Bremerhaven, the Smartport Living Lab is being created for this purpose, which is being supported with 2.8 million euros from the state of Bremen. The aim is to develop innovative solutions for the port, for example through the use of drones and autonomous ship demonstrators. These systems are networked in order to optimize processes and increase safety. The following are involved in the project: BIBA - Bremen Institute of Production and Logistics, the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), TOPAS Industriemathematik Innovation, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Contact: Prof. Dr. Burkhard Lemper
Details
Image: TOPAS
The Future of Port Logistics: Automation of Twistlocks to Improve Safety and Efficiency
Twistlocks are mechanical locking elements that are used to secure containers on ships. The manual handling of twistlocks today is time-consuming and poses risks to occupational safety. The SIM-TWIST project, in which BIBA is involved, is investigating how automated twistlock handling systems (ATS) could be used in container terminals. A simulation environment is being developed in order to derive recommendations for the use of ATS. The aim is the reduction of technical and economic risks in the future use of ATS and the promotion of the market maturity of such systems. This can increase efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.
Contact: Susanne Schukraft
Details
Image: BIBA, AI-generated by Dall-e 3
Intelligent Traffic Counting in Port-Hinterland Truck Transport
In order to support those responsible for the infrastructure planning of truck traffic in the port and port hinterland, the ISL - Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics developed a prototype solution as part of a feasibility study that can be used to determine the volume of truck traffic in particular. The challenge here was to be able to differentiate and count different types of trucks.
For this purpose, an AI model was trained on different vehicle types and integrated into a counting and evaluation software that was also developed. The practical suitability of the approach was demonstrated on an AI-capable microcomputer in battery-powered use together with a camera.
Contact: Sven Mattheis
Details
Image: ISL
AI-supported Sales Analysis for More Precise Forecasts and Optimized Warehousing
The SAILEX - Sales and Operations Intelligence with Explainable AI project, carried out by BIBA, aims to develop an AI-based analysis tool for ERP systems that combines sales data with internal and external factors. This should not only reveal general sales trends, but also individual correlations such as discounts or external influences such as weather and political events. This helps to create more precise purchasing forecasts, avoid bottlenecks and reduce excess stock, which saves storage costs. In addition, a large language model is used to explain the AI forecasts in order to ensure the traceability of decisions, supported by explainable AI approaches.
Contact: Simon Leohold
Details
Image: BIBA, S. Leohold, AI-generated by Flux.1.1 pro ultra
Project to Promote Environmentally Friendly Water Transportation
On February 25, 2025, the kick-off meeting of the Horizon Europe project TRUSTEE (fuTuRe proof efficieNt and sUStainable deploymenT of zEwt) took place in Naples, Italy. The event was organized by the Fondazione ISSNOVA and brought together project partners and representatives of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). ISL is involved as a partner in this forward-looking project. TRUSTEE aims to support policy, industry, investment, technology and operations with sound findings and recommendations for the transition to Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT).
Contact: Dr. Holger Kramer
Details
Image: ISL
Digital Twin for Logistics
A digital twin for logistics was developed in the SYDITIL project. The technological basis is the ? description language for complex socio-technical systems and the WorldLab simulation software.
A practical concept was developed and evaluated using the application scenarios of warehouse logistics and port logistics. The digital twin is updated with real-time data from the logistics system, simulates possible future scenarios and predicts potential risks. If necessary, it can transmit warning messages to existing control and monitoring systems. The visualization of the simulation results and forecasts support decision-making in strategic and operational planning - a step towards more resilient and efficiently managed logistics systems.
Contact: Hendrik Engbers
Details
Image: kosssmosss/stock.adobe.com
AR Assistance Systems in Intralogistics: A Guide for SMEs
Intelligent and interactive AR-based assistance systems have great potential for supporting intralogistics work processes, but have so far only been used in this form in isolated cases in practice. The AR Improve research project, in which BIBA was involved, focused on intelligent and interactive AR assistance systems that combine the latest AR hardware with sensor technology and image processing methods. By providing an interactive guide, which was developed together with SMEs, decision-makers in SMEs are enabled to make well-founded decisions on the needs-based and human-oriented use of AR assistance systems without detailed knowledge of AR technology.
Contact: Moritz Quandt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
Data-driven Ecosystem for Smart Wind Turbines
The Wind-X project supports the wind industry with a data-driven ecosystem for sustainable wind turbines over their entire life cycle. Experience from initiatives such as Catena-X and Gaia-X is being transferred to the wind industry. The aim is to develop innovative software services and solutions for intelligent wind turbines, supported by standards-compliant asset administration shell sub-models. Digital twins are given configuration and communication capabilities. In addition, value-added services are created that utilize raw data from the supply chain. BIBA coordinates and develops application scenarios such as ‘Traceability for Sustainability and Logistics’ and ‘Digital Twin in Production and Field’ as well as relevant data integrations and demonstrators.
Contact: Jan-Frederik Uhlenkamp
Image: Wind-X
Chile's Focus on Energy Efficiency: International Networking for Renewable Energies
LogDynamics and BIBA were represented at the international seminar ‘Atacama Circular Solar Energy 2025’ from 6 May to 8 May in Copiapó, Chile. The event was organized by the CircularTec technology centre for the circular economy with the support of the Universidad de Atacama and the companies Mainstream, Colbún and Pacific Hydro.
Energy efficiency is a scientific and industrial priority in Chile and is of strategic importance for the economic development of the Atacama region. Stakeholders from the regional energy industry and its value chain networked at this event in order to make the region a national benchmark region in the field of renewable energies and to increase its international visibility. Dr Matthias Burwinkel, Head of the LogDynamics Lab, gave a key note speech entitled ‘Systemic transformation to renewable and electrified production and logistics systems’.
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Matthias Burwinkel
Details
Image: Dr.-Ing. Matthias Burwinkel
ISL First Representative of Bremen at Hydrogen Europe Research
With more than 150 members covering a wide range of competences and infrastructures, Hydrogen Europe Research (HER) actively promotes scientific excellence, the development of new innovative technologies and technology transfer in Europe. The aim is to create a dynamic and innovative network to shape an economy in which hydrogen plays a central role for a clean and sustainable future. In April 2025, ISL joined this influential organization, becoming one of 19 German HER members and the first representative of the federal state of Bremen.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details
Image: ISL
Contact: Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details
Image: ISL
LogDynamics Welcomes Four New Members: Professor Christof Büskens Sets the Tone in Industrial Mathematics
Prof. Dr Christof Büskens is head of the Optimization and Optimal Control department at the Centre for Industrial Mathematics (ZeTeM) at the University of Bremen. His research focuses on optimization and optimal control, model predictive control and digital twins with an application focus on autonomous systems and energy management. In the field of transfer, he is Scientific Director of TOPAS Industriemathematik and coordinator of the large-scale transfer project #MOIN - Modellregion Industriemathematik.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Christof Büskens
Professor Dieter Hutter Contributes Expertise in the Field of AI
Prof Dr Dieter Hutter is deputy head of the Cyber-Physical System department at DFKI Bremen and honorary professor at the University of Bremen. His research specializes in the formal specification and verification of security and data protection requirements. In recent years, he has been particularly interested in logistical applications involving multiple stakeholders with different interests but also common goals. Typical examples are supply chains that require both the integrity of the transmitted data and the traceability of the actors involved. Coopetition, i.e. cooperation between competitors, increases the need for formal and cryptographic mechanisms to recognize and control the flow of information between the players.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Dieter Hutter
Contact: Prof. Dr. Dieter Hutter
Professor Matthias Klumpp - Support from the Economic Sciences
Matthias Klumpp (Chair of Retail and Logistics Management, University of Bremen) completed his doctorate at the University of Leipzig and his habilitation at the University of Duisburg-Essen. He has held international research positions at the Universities of Sydney, Twente, Florence (EUI) and Modena and also works at the Politecnico di Milano. His fields of research include retail logistics, sustainable logistics systems and, in particular, social sustainability according to the human-centred concepts of Industry 5.0 and Logistics 5.0. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of Fraunhofer IML Dortmund and the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Logistics Association and holds academic roles as Senior Editor of the Journal of Business Logistics and member of the editorial team of the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Matthias Klumpp
Professor Nils Meyer-Larsen - New Impulses from the ISL and Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Dr Nils Meyer-Larsen has been Scientific Director at ISL since February 2025 and teaches on the Integrated Safety and Security Management (ISSM) Master's degree program at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. Supply chain security and resilience has been a research focus in his 25 years at ISL. Several years ago, the doctor of physics initiated the Maritime Hydrogen research area at ISL, which has been an important part of ISL research ever since. As Managing Director, Prof Meyer-Larsen succeeds Prof Dr Frank Arendt, who took his well-deserved retirement in 2024.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Strengthening Transfer Activities in LogDynamics: New Transfer Manager Introduces Himself
Dr Michael Mesterharm has been Transfer Manager for the Bremen research and transfer focus area Logistics/LogDynamics since February 2025. After studying business administration with a focus on law at the University of Oldenburg, Dr Mesterharm completed his doctorate on the topic of ‘Integrated Environmental Communication of Companies’ in cooperation with Audi AG. He then managed future and co-operation projects for the Volkswagen Group, both in Group Research and at the AutoUni, and was responsible as central coordinator and consultant for Volkswagen AG's university co-operations.
He also worked at the University of Oldenburg as project manager in the BMBF project ‘Nordwest 2050’ for the research area ‘Climate Adaptation and Value Chains’ and was a lecturer for ‘Value Chains/Supply Chain’ and ‘Business and Performance Processes’ in the Business Administration program for top athletes.
At LogDynamics, Dr Mesterharm primarily coordinates cooperation between science and industry and organizes a range of transfer activities.
Contact: Dr. Michael Mesterharm
Production with Collaborative Robots
June 25, 2025, online
The virtual impulse seminar organized by BIBA in cooperation with the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Bremen-Oldenburg offers an overview of the latest developments in cobots in the manufacturing industry. Possible applications for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as the economic and technical feasibility will be presented. In addition, examples of successful applications of cobots and simple decision rules will be shown in order to analyse their benefits for companies.
Contact: Alexander Seelig
Details and registration
Image: Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Bremen-Oldenburg
LogDynamics Sets ‘ Green’ Accents at EnvoConnect
September 3-4, 2025, Bremen
EnvoConnect is the central conference for sustainability stakeholders in the port and logistics sector in German-speaking countries. As sustainability plays a crucial role in logistics research, LogDynamics is participating in the accompanying trade exhibition for the third time in a row. Current research results will be presented that aim to optimize environmental compatibility in logistics, conserve resources, reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of logistics processes.
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: EnvoConnect
LogDynamics Presents AI for the Port at BVL Supply Chan CX
October 22-24, 2025, Berlin
From October 22 to 24, 2025, LogDynamics will be present at the BVL Supply Chain CX in Berlin, booth C/02. CX is the networking event for logistics and supply chain management. This is where decision-makers and other logistics enthusiasts from industry, trade, services and science meet. LogDynamics is once again taking part in the accompanying trade exhibition and is focusing on digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence in the port. We look forward to your visit and dialogue!
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
LogDynamics Showcases Intelligent Automation at the BVL Supply Chain CX
From 23 to 25 October 2024, the LogDynamics research cluster was represented at the first BVL Supply Chain CX. The successor event to the German Logistics Congress brought the logistics community together and opened up new, modern dialogue and networking formats under the motto ‘Congress meets Expo’.
The highlight of the LogDynamics presence was the mobile assembly workstation with a collaborative robot (Cobot). The demonstrator uses human-robot collaboration (HRC) and artificial intelligence (AI) to support people in production environments and optimise assembly processes. The visitors were able to experience at first hand how intelligent automation can be realised with little investment.
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
Sustainable Logistics: Innovative Approaches for the Future
On 19 and 20 September 2024 at ENVOCONNECT in Bremerhaven, the focus was on green ports and sustainable logistics. As part of the accompanying trade exhibition, the LogDynamics research cluster was part of this conference and exchanged ideas with stakeholders about the latest trends and innovative approaches. The event not only offered valuable insights, but also excellent networking opportunities with experts from across the industry.
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Tools for SMEs
On 26 November 2024, the event of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Bremen-Oldenburg on digitalization and artificial intelligence in SMEs at the Bremen Chamber of Commerce in Bremerhaven offered numerous exciting insights. Informative keynote speeches highlighted the opportunities of AI for industry and SMEs. The topic was explored in greater depth in two parallel workshops.
The participants had the opportunity to get to know various technology demonstrators from BIBA, including AR assistance systems from the AR Improve project, a demonstrator for optimising production with AI from the EIT Manufacturing project ‘AI Industry Analytic’ and an intuitive learning robot for digital training.
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
ISL at the 2nd Plenary of OCEANIDS
On 12 and 13 November 2024, the second plenary meeting of the OCEANIDS consortium took place in Brussels. The focus of this plenary was to discuss the requirements of the actors from the OCEANIDS pilot regions. In addition, the project's progress in the technical implementation of the OCEANDIS platform for earth observation services was presented. Rainer Müller participated in the plenary meeting on behalf of ISL.
OCEANIDS focuses on the provision of information on climate, meteorology and earth observation data for coastal regions.
Contact: Rainer Müller
Details
Image: ISL
Ischa meetHUB - a Fair of Possibilities with Intelligent Robotics from BIBA
Together with many stakeholders from business and science, BIBA celebrated the inclusion of the DIGITAL HUB INDUSTRY Bremen in the BMWK's de:hub - Digital Hub Initiative Smart Manufacturing at the fair of possibilities on 29 October 2024. With balloons, sweet popcorn, roasted almonds and gingerbread hearts, a festive atmosphere was created that successfully paralleled Bremen's fifth season.
At our booth, we presented the mobile assembly workstation with a collaborative robot - which inspired visitors and stimulated discussions. We look forward to working with the de:hub community and to shaping the digital future together.
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details
Image: Aleksandra Himstedt
ISL Was Part of the Hydrogen Technology Expo 2024
On 23 and 24 October 2024, ISL was represented at the Hydrogen Technology Expo (HTE) in Hamburg. The HTE is considered Europe's largest trade fair in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The trade fair brings together leading players from industry, science and politics to discuss the latest developments in the field of hydrogen and solutions for a more sustainable future.
Hydrogen plays a particularly crucial role in the global defossilization of mobility and industry, including in shipping. Here, the use of hydrogen represents a promising prospect for shipping and port logistics.
Contact: Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details
Image: ISL
Ready to Go: Intensive Course for Founders at the University of Bremen
From 18 to 20 October 2025, LEMEX, in collaboration with Startup Migrants , BRIDGE - Gründen aus Bremer Hochschulen, and Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, organized an intensive crash course for aspiring entrepreneurs at Bremen University.
Over 30 students joined us to dive deep into the world of startups and take their business ideas to the next level.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Jörg Freiling
Details
Image: Lemex
Opening of the ResC4EU Platform at KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2024
The Kompozyt-Expo 2024, which took place from 16 to 17 October in Krakow, Poland, is the leading trade fair for composites, technologies and products in Poland and Central Europe. In this context, at the 3rd General Assembly of the ResC4EU platform, ISL scientists Dr Debarshee Bhardwaj and Sönke Maatsch, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Casting, Composite and Processing Technology (IGCV), presented their first framework for an exciting resilience assessment model.
Contact: Dr. Debarshee Bhardwaj
Details
Image: ISL
ISL Participates in the 4th ReNEW General Assembly in Porto
On 14 and 15 October, ISL participated in the 4th General Assembly of the ReNEW (Resilience-centric Smart, Green, Networked EU Inland Waterway) project, organized by APDL in Porto. As part of the project, ISL, together with 24 partners from 11 countries, is looking for ways to achieve a balanced integration of sustainability and resilience in inland shipping.
Contact: Dr. Marija Jovic
Details
Image: ISL
Insights from BIBA at the Mobile Robotics Summit & Logistics Summit 2024 in Düsseldorf
On 10 October 2024, a panel discussion on collaborative robotics took place as part of the Mobile Robotics Summit & Logistics Summit, where experts discussed current developments and challenges in the industry. Christoph Petzoldt from BIBA took part and provided valuable insights into safe and efficient collaboration between humans and robots. The focus was on topics such as the selection of suitable applications, the flexibilisation of production lines and the question of whether humans and robots should coexist or collaborate.
Contact: Christoph Petzoldt
Details
Image: Trailblazer Summits GmbH (Mobile Robotics Summit/Logistics Summit)
Science Senator Kathrin Moosdorf Visits the ISL
On 30 September 2024 Kathrin Moosdorf, Bremen's Senator for Environment, Climate and Science, visited ISL for her official official inaugural visit. During her stay, she was introduced to the Institute's fields of activity and some concise and tangible project results by the ISL management and a number of employees.
Contact: Prof.Dr. Burkhard Lemper
Details
Image: ISL
Workplace of the Future: BIBA at the Future of Industrial Engineering Day 2024
The Future of Industrial Engineering Day (FIED24) took place in Dortmund on 19 September 2024. Over 160 experts from industry and research came together to discuss the workplace of the future and the central question of ‘People and technology - partners or opponents?’.
BIBA also contributed to the topic with new impulses: Christoph Petzoldt shed light on the topic of ‘Operator 5.0’ in his presentation in the science track. Among other things, he presented a concrete example of implementation from the BMDV-funded IHATEC project MEXOT, which aims to achieve intelligent work organisation through the combination of autonomous transport systems and sensory exoskeletons.
Contact: Christoph Petzoldt
Details
Image: MotionMiners
Selbination- A Hybrid Meta-Learning Method for the Automatic Selection and Combination of Suitable Forecast Models for Production Planning
Accurate demand forecasts are of significant importance for companies in supply chains. All methods developed to date can be categorised as either pure selection or pure combination approaches and no hybrid methods exist to date. In order to utilise the advantages of both approaches, a hybrid method is presented here, the so-called self-combination method.
Based on this dissertation, Dr Mirko Kück, who completed his doctorate at BIBA under Prof Michael Freitag, was awarded the Science Prize Logistics 2023 by the jury of the BVL - Bundesvereinigung Logistik.
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag
Details
Image: Springer
Climate Goals for Shipping Can Hardly Be Met
Although shipping is the most energy-efficient means of transport, it has a significant impact on the environment and climate due to the pollutants it emits. Reducing this environmental impact has become increasingly important. In particular, the issue of the availability of alternative fuels is essential for the prospects of success for climate protection efforts and targets. There are considerable deficits here. Therefore, the production capacities for green hydrogen as the basis for the production of alternative fuels must be expanded quickly in order to meet demand in a timely manner.
ISL's position on climate-friendly shipping can be found in the position paper ‘Climate targets for maritime shipping are hardly achievable’.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Burkhard Lemper
Details
Image: ISL
Exploiting the Extended Neighborhood of Hexagonal Qubit Architecture for Mapping Quantum Circuits
In this work mapping of quantum circuits to regular hexagonal grid with coupling degree of six has been investigated. Architectures involving superconducting qubits impose restrictions on 2-qubit gate operations to be carried out only between physically coupled qubits, also referred to as Nearest Neighbour (NN) Constraint. The noise introduced by the 2-qubit gates and the execution time greatly affect the computational reliability. Existing mapping techniques suffer either from the adopted approach to reduce gate overhead or from their inability to take advantage of such architectural regularity. Three different qubit mapping approaches have been outlined, using remote CNOT templates, swap gates and a combination of both.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Rolf Drechsler
Details
Image: ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems
AI-Consult: AI information System to Support Logistics Processes
In the “AI-Consult” project, a multimodal system was developed for intuitive access to complex information through natural communication in combination with optical image recognition processes. The system enables direct, fast and contactless access to a wide range of functions to support logistical processes. For data protection reasons, personal image and voice data are processed by an integrated computing unit. The video shows an application example on the construction site and an interaction with an avatar.
Contact: Axel Börold
Video, Project Website
Image: Ascora GmbH
Efficient and Ergonomic Work with Exoskeletons and Intelligent Transport Systems
The MEXOT project, carried out in cooperation between BIBA and the companies BLG, ELROTEC and HUNIC, is setting new standards for ergonomic and efficient work processes in automotive handling with a human-centered support and automation approach: exoskeletons not only support employees in carrying out their work, but also analyse their posture in real time using integrated sensors and AI methods in order to promote an ergonomic way of working through an incentive system. The system is supplemented by autonomous mobile robots (AMR), which reduce non-value-adding routes.
The final video of the project shows how MEXOT creates future-oriented workplaces that combine efficiency and ergonomics.
Contact: Christoph Petzoldt
Video, Project Website
Image: Camila Mejia
Intelligent Proofing Machine - Artificial Intelligence in the Bakery
Dough fermentation is of great importance for the bread production process, as poorly fermented bread dough pieces have a significantly poorer product quality after baking. Until now, the optimum proofing time has been determined manually by specialised personnel, which leads to fluctuations in quality. In the ‘F.I.T. Gaerautomat’ research project, an optical monitoring assistant was developed that uses a vertical linear axis to monitor the bread dough pieces across different baking trays in the proofing room. In addition, proofing reference curves can be created and saved for proofing control in order to minimise proofing deviations and ensure consistent product quality.
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Michael Lütjen
Video
Image: ttz Bremerhaven
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Michael Lütjen
Video
Image: ttz Bremerhaven
