My Impressions of 2024 InnoTrans Berlin Exhibition- Dr. İlhami Pektaş

InnoTrans is the premier international trade exhibition for transportation technology, held biennially in Berlin. It encompasses five trade exhibition segments: Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors, and Tunnel Construction.

InnoTrans 2024, the world’s leading trade exhibition for transportation technology and mobility, was held from September 24-27, 2024, set numerous records with its 14th edition. This year, it achieved numerosu records attracting unprecedented demand. The exhibition utilized all the halls, outdoor spaces, and tracks of the Berlin Exhibition Center, offering the largest exhibition space to date, with 200,000 square meters across 42 halls. Since its foundation in 1996, InnoTrans has once again proven to be the leading trade exhibition in the field of transportation technology and mobility.

Germany’s Minister of Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, officially inaugurated the event alongside Dirk Hoffmann. Dr. Wissing emphasized the importance of digital technologies in transportation, highlighting that digitization in railways, including ETCS, signaling, and train control, would be prioritized.

In 2022, InnoTrans hosted 2,771 exhibitors from 56 countries and welcomed 132,319 trade visitors from 137 countries, showcasing their products and services. This year’s event featured innovative solutions shaping the vision of future mobility, with participation from 2,940 companies across 59 countries. The event attracted 170,000 visitors from 133 countries, including new participants from countries such as Kazakhstan, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Africa.

Another noteworthy aspect of the exhibition was the representation of companies from countries such as Switzerland, Spain, China, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Japan, Argentina, South Korea, Portugal, Slovakia, Australia, and Brazil, all of whom presented their country pavilions.

InnoTrans 2024 not only highlighted innovations but also served as a platform for events, seminars, and conferences on the future of mobility. Daily dialogues organized by leading institutions such as the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) and the German Transport Forum (DVF) attracted attention.

This year’s main themes included sustainability in railways, electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and data protection systems. The focus was on making transportation more economical, clean, efficient, smart, reliable, enjoyable, and accessible for all.

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in the transportation sector. At InnoTrans, there was significant demand for AI-based solutions and cybersecurity. New participants from 17 countries, including 42 exhibitors, presented their expertise in AI, robotics, data protection, and cybersecurity. Among the participants were major names like Google Cloud and Cisco, alongside innovative startups like Next Generation Robotics, which offered robotic platforms for inspecting train components.

Siemens Mobility demonstrated how it connects data from its products, operators, and ecosystem partners digitally through standardized interfaces using Siemens Xcelerator products. Stadler showcased sustainable, safe, low-emission, and reliable mobility features with its Eight Vehicle Concept. Alstom highlighted the importance of clean, efficient, smart, low-emission, reliable, enjoyable, and accessible mobility solutions for all.

 

In the outdoor exhibition area, 3,500 vehicles were displayed, including Siemens Mobility’s Velaro high-speed train, designed specifically for Egypt, and Alstom’s unique single and double-decker regional train, the Coradia Max™. Among the most notable displays were Stadler’s emission-free RS ZERO train, which operates with both fuel cells and batteries, Hyundai Rotem’s hydrogen tram, CRRC’s Cinova H2 hydrogen train, Vossloh’s hydrogen-powered Modula BFC hybrid locomotive for freight transport, and Pesa’s hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive.

64 Turkish Companies Participated in InnoTrans 2024

The “INNO TRANS 2024 Exhibition,” which brought together the most important players in the rail systems and transportation sectors, saw 64 Turkish companies participating with their own stands this year. The exhibition highlighted a significant increase in both the number of participating companies and visitors, as well as in the innovative solutions and technologies displayed compared to previous years.

On the first day of InnoTrans 2024, as ARUS members, we held our initial meetings with railway system companies from the Saxony region. We visited the Turkish companies participating in the exhibition with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Abdülkadir Uraloğlu, Deputy Ministers Mr. Osman Boyraz and Mr. Enver İskurt, Director General of AYGM, Dr. Yalçın Eyigün, TCDD General Manager and ARUS President Mr. Veysi Kurt, TCDD Taşımacılık General Manager Mr. Ufuk Yalçın, Türasaş General Manager Mr. Selim Koçbay, TCDD Technical General Manager Mr. Mustafa Özdöner, and the accompanying delegation.

On the second day of the exhibition, the ARUS management team continued visiting Turkish company stands and took part in the European Innovation Award ceremony organized by ERCI.

The companies that are granted with the Innovation award in this year are:

Hitachi Rail’s -Italy : “Autonomous Tram AI Technologies” -“ERCI Innovation Award 2024 for “Best Large Enterprise”.

Cargo Beamer AG–Germany : “ERCI Innovation Award 2024 for “Best Small and Medium Enterprise”.

Siemens Mobility- Germany : “ERCI Innovation Award 2024 for “Coup to Coeur.

On the same day, the delegation also participated in receptions hosted by the Saxony companies and the Ditecfer cluster.

Throughout the exhibition, we visited numerous companies participating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey, including AYGM, TCDD, TCDD Taşımacılık, as well as Türasaş, Aselsan, Kardemir, Bozankaya, Yapı Merkezi, Yapıray, YM İdis, Medel, Acarlar Vagon, Canray, Erciyas Rail, Dirinler Makine, Albayrak Makine, Sarkuysan, Sazcılar, Er-Bakır, Elsitel, Avitech Kauçuk, Babacan Kauçuk, Egemet Dövme, ERA Elektronik, Esray, FMC, FZK Mühendislik, Gök Yapı, Grebo Otomotiv, Kaaf, Kanca, Kaykaç, Özkan D.Ç, Piton, Sistaş, Sönmez Transformatör, May Fren, Mipsan, Mukan Rail, Ilgaz İnşaat, Taç Kauçuk, Va-Ko, Gamak, Gurbetçiler Plastik, Gurmak Amortisör, Gürmak Bağlantı, BCY Vagon, Hisarlar, Panel Poliüretan, Emas D.Ç, and Era Bağlantı. We gathered information about the exhibition and efficiency of business meetings.

All our companies showcased their innovative and technological products at their stands, attracting significant interest and signing numerous contracts.

During our visits to the outdoor exhibition area;

Erciyas Rail;  introduced the world’s first 117-cubic-meter spiral-welded tank wagon.

Gök Grup; displayed its Eamnos 57-cubic-meter wagon, and

BCY Yavuzlar displayed the Sggmrss 90 freight wagon.

 

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all participating companies for their successful business negotiations and export agreements.”