Source: Logistics News
by: Andrea Lombardo

Logistics competitiveness, traditionally measured in terms of kilometers of infrastructure, port capacity, and intermodal connections, is now witnessing a shift in the concept of “competitive advantage” toward the dematerialized realm of data, networks, and digital platforms that enable the management of the increasingly complex flows that characterize the modern supply chain ecosystem.

The transformation of the supply chain is, in fact, shifting the focus from the physical movement of goods to the management of the information that accompanies them —a trend that is particularly evident in regions with mature and advanced markets, such as the European Union and the United States.

It is in this context that the concept of“technological sovereignty”—or “data sovereignty,” as explored in depth in the article“5G Corridors, Edge Computing, and Data Sovereignty in European Logistics,”published in the September 2026 issue of Logistica—has begun to take a firm hold in the European debate: although it is often viewed as an ideological goal, there is a real need for a concrete response to the enormous dependence on digital technologies and infrastructure developed and controlled outside the European Union.

The logistics sector is deeply affected by this debate, given that a significant portion of its operations relies on cloud platforms, communication networks, sensors, and data analytics systems; as a result, the issue also takes on strategic importance.

The New Value of Digital Infrastructure

Traditionally, when discussing strategic infrastructure, the focus has always been on ports, railways, freight terminals, and highways. Today, Brussels has expanded the scope of what is considered “strategic” to include digital networks as well.

Through the Digital Decade 2030 program, the European Commission has identified strengthening European capabilities in cloud computing, edge computing, and next-generation networks as a priority for the 27 member states, recognizing that industrial competitiveness will increasingly depend on the ability to control data and connectivity.

To understand the scope of this change, one need only look at what happens every day in logistics. An operator who, for example, moves containers between the Port of Genoa and Northern Europe doesn’t just handle cargo: they coordinate a growing volume of data related to the cargo’s location, customs procedures, rail reservations, transport conditions, and terminal slots.

If these information flows depend on external systems that are not interoperable with one another or on infrastructure located in different jurisdictions, operational risks increase and the ability to control the entire chain is reduced.

A Matter of Resilience

The vulnerabilities that emerged during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent geopolitical tensions have shown that supply chain resilience does not depend solely on modes of transportation.

According to the European Commission, technological dependence is one of the main factors contributing to the vulnerability of the European economy, particularly in digitally intensive sectors.

This is also why the EU has launchedthe European Chips Act, a program designed to strengthen Europe’s manufacturing capacity in the semiconductor sector. Microchips are now an essential component of industrial vehicles, tracking systems, IoT sensors, and automation platforms; therefore, a disruption in supply can slow down not only the manufacturing industry but the entire logistics sector.

A prime example is that of“smart ports.” At major European ports, from Rotterdam to Antwerp-Bruges, operations management is increasingly reliant on digital networks, sensors, and integrated platforms; after all, digitization makes it possible to optimize the use of docks, improve arrival planning, and reduce cargo dwell times. However, the higher the level of digitization, the greater the need to ensure the security and control of the infrastructure that makes it possible.

From Cybersecurity to Strategic Autonomy

The concept of “technological sovereignty” also encompasses the protection of critical systems. The NIS2 Directive, which took effect in 2023, has strengthened cybersecurity requirements for all operators deemed essential, including many companies in the transportation and logistics sectors. The goal is to improve the ability to prevent and manage cyber incidents that could compromise business continuity.

For a port terminal, a rail operator, or a large logistics hub, a digital disruption can have effects not unlike those caused by the shutdown of physical infrastructure—with the difference that the damage often spreads more quickly and is less visible.

The growing focus of European institutions on technological sovereignty stems precisely from this realization: that the logistics of the future will inevitably be more connected, automated, and data-driven. The real challenge will not only be to adopt new technologies, but to ensure that the value generated by data and networks remains accessible to the companies that produce it.

In an industry that thrives on interconnections, technological sovereignty is therefore a prerequisite for building a more autonomous, resilient, and competitive supply chain. This factor could prove to be just as important in the coming years as the availability of efficient ports, modern rail corridors, or high-performance highway connections.

Read the original article: Logistics News