Annual Conference of the BSK Focused on Reducing Bureaucracy

At the end of October, the Federal Association of Heavy Transport and Crane Operations (BSK) e.V. met in Berlin for its annual general meeting. The two-day expert event in the German capital started with greetings from Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, and Uwe Schüler, State Secretary in the Ministry for Infrastructure and Land Planning of the State of Brandenburg.

(Frankfurt/Berlin) The main theme of this format, which has been held since 1963, is that in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the German industry, improved framework conditions are necessary for the “king discipline” of logistics, as Oliver Luksic also referred to it, namely large and heavy transport (GST). The recent timely processing of permit applications for these transports by the Autobahn GmbH is already bringing more dynamism into daily operations.

The collapse of the Carolabrücke bridge in Dresden this late summer also highlighted the high importance of this topic to the general public. “For us specialists, who transport particularly large and heavy goods of daily necessity as well as components for the country’s infrastructure and facilities for the energy transition on behalf of the industry, efficient roads, railways, and inland waterways are of existential importance. If we cannot operate for our customers, many high-profile project initiatives in our country come to a standstill,” emphasizes Andreas Krahl, Chairman of the BSK Supervisory Board. The 2nd Chairman Holger Dechant adds: “If such incidents happen too frequently, the industry begins to reconsider the profitability of its investments in the Federal Republic. We, as a representative body, definitely want to avoid such conclusions from renowned companies and thus also employers, whose success contributes to local economic growth and living conditions, along with the resulting consequences, through our commitment and close exchange with all parties involved.”

Infrastructure Issues as Another Central Theme

A constructive, forward-looking spirit of dialogue prevailed despite all challenges in the panel discussions and around the expert presentations at this meeting in Berlin. In addition to infrastructure issues, the topic of bureaucracy, which is to be reduced for heavy goods specialists in the future, dominated the expert discussions. In this context, the seamless digitalization of the approval process from application to transport execution and the sustainable, conflict-free coordination of the diverse legal regulations for large and heavy transports as well as crane operations in a “GST Law” are essential. The prioritization of transports for the energy transition is also on the agenda.

The auction of historical truck models conducted at the event, which raised over 10,000 euros among the participants, benefits the German Childhood Cancer Aid. “The auction and the associated support for young patients and their parents represented an emotional highlight of our annual general meeting this year,” says Helmut Schgeiner, Managing Board of the BSK.

About BSK

The Federal Association of Heavy Transport and Crane Operations (BSK) e.V. consolidates the interests of companies specializing in the transportation of large and heavy goods. The approximately 400 members represent the largest professional association in this sector of logistics in Europe. The companies engaged in the BSK include transport and assembly companies, operators of vehicle cranes, service providers for transport security, as well as providers of specific industry solutions plus representatives of other modes of transport and industry.

Photo: © BSK/Peter-Paul Weiler / Image Caption: Oliver Luksic referred to large and heavy transport as the “king discipline” of logistics and spoke about improved conditions for the industry