Micro hubs: flexible solutions for the last mile

Micro hubs for urban deliveries in Hamburg

Micro hubs are changing the flow of goods and traffic as we know it. As e-commerce sales continue to climb and local retailers are seeking to make their delivery structures more favourable to customers, mastering the last mile has become ever more challenging. In response to this, new logistics solutions have been developed to alleviate the traffic burden on Hamburg's city centre as well highly populated, centrally located residential quarters. In today’s multi-tiered, complex distribution system, micro hubs, i.e. small, decentralised storage facilities in dense urban areas, have gained special importance. 

With an average floor space of 50–250 m², these fairly small units can be used by multiple courier, express and parcel service providers (CEP) for their respective end-customer distribution. Micro hubs are supplied only once daily by a large vehicle (7.5 tonnes max.), and all goods are then delivered to the end customers – on foot, by cargo bike or by another small e-driven vehicle as appropriate.

Logistic Solutions: Micro hubs are supplied by a large vehicle, and all goods are then delivered to the end customers – on foot, by cargo bike or by another small e-driven vehicle as appropriate.
Logistic solutions

Locational potential for micro hubs

On behalf of the Hamburg Ministry of Economy and Innovation (BWI), the Hamburg Invest has worked out new logistics solutions for the last mile. Based on this, HIW has also identified the locational potential of such micro hubs at different quarters of Hamburg. By mapping out these locations, Hamburg aims to establish a network of micro hubs for the entire City of Hamburg, which is to make use of both municipal and private sites. With this, HIW intends to promote and accelerate the implementation of innovative logistics solutions for the last mile, while at the same time ensuring a more coherent cityscape.

Micro hub categories

Single-user hub “Basic” (S)

1 user, area of approx. 15–20 m², serves a delivery area with approx. 120–150 items per day

Single-user hub “Max” (M)

1 user, area of approx. 100–120 m², serves several delivery areas

Multi-user hub “Basic” (M*)

Shared location for up to 3 CEP, area of approx. 100 m², serves a delivery area with 120–150 items per day each, plus pick-up station for parcels

Multi-user hub “Plus” (L)

Shared location for 3 to 5 CEP, area of approx. 150–200 m², serves one or more delivery areas with 120–150 items each, plus pick-up station for parcels 

Multi-user hub “White Label” (XL)

Shared consolidated location for several CEP, area of approx. 250–300 m², serves several delivery areas by an independent provider with 600+ items, plus pick-up station for parcels as well as other services

High-potential locations for inner-city micro hubs 
 

Hamburg - Winterhude

Pergolenviertel

District: Hamburg-Nord
Location: Alte Wöhr, 22307 Hamburg
Size: 60–70 m² / 100–120 m²

Hamburg - Eppendorf

Martinistrasse/UKE

District: Hamburg-Nord
Location: Martinistrasse 52, 20251 Hamburg
Size: 60-70 m²                                    

Hamburg - Lokstedt

Meistermeile

District: Hamburg Eimsbüttel
Location: Offakamp 9, 22529 Hamburg
Owner: Sprinkenhof                                  

Feasibility study 

Micro hub location research 

By 2030, the volume of CEP services provided in Hamburg is expected to increase to 164 million shipments. This feasibility study by Hanseatic Transport Consultancy and THERON Advisory aims to examine the specific requirements that are placed on micro hub locations and identify locations that would be best suited for setting up a single and/or multi-user depot.                                                                             

Get in touch with us

We will be happy to assist you with important decisions about relocating your company.

Your POINT OF contact 

Bernd Ringe

Deputy Head of Real Estate Services
+49 (0)40 - 22 70 19 - 20

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