The early years of this decade have starkly highlighted the complexity and fragility of supply chains, underscoring our world’s deep interconnectivity and how swiftly disruptions can occur. Concurrently, the imperative for widespread decarbonization across all facets of society has become clear, essential for ensuring a liveable planet for future generations.
VIL: Leading Logistics Innovation in Flanders
In this landscape, VIL, Flanders’ leading cluster for logistics innovation, along with its over 700 members, two-thirds of which are SMEs, rises to these challenges. VIL actively explores, supports, and engages in innovative and sustainable logistics projects.
“Our primary focus is on pioneering logistics projects and their subsequent implementation. Together with our members, VIL has identified four key areas for these projects: digital transformation, last mile delivery, hinterland connectivity, and green logistics,” states managing director Liesbeth Geysels. “VIL also serves as a facilitator, bringing together various key stakeholders around critical innovation pathways and fostering collaboration.”
Matchmaking: LogiLAUNCH®
With LogiLAUNCH, VIL supports Flemish startups with disruptive logistics innovations by organizing speed-dating sessions with mature cluster members, shippers and logistics service providers. This initiative is designed to help startups scale up their operations and bring their solutions to market.
LogiLAUNCH offers a structured pathway for growth, encompassing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to VIL’s extensive knowledge and resources. Through LogiLAUNCH, VIL aims to foster a dynamic ecosystem where innovative logistics solutions can thrive, contributing to Flanders’ position as a leading logistics hub in Europe.
International efforts and DISCO project
VIL is deeply committed to international initiatives, emphasizing coordination and collaboration with global cluster organizations while providing guidance to its members. VIL actively participates in European projects, either directly or by supporting its members through joining various consortia in European-funded programs.
One notable example is the DISCO project (Data-driven, Integrated, Synchromodal, Collaborative, and Optimized), involving 48 European partners working together to create sustainable solutions for on-demand city logistics and exploring secure data-sharing opportunities via data spaces in urban logistics.
“In collaboration with the city of Ghent, IMEC, and Be-Mobile, VIL leads the living lab to develop the Dynamic Access Control concept. This concept integrates access rules information into transporters’ planning systems, transforming it into a practical and applicable system in Ghent’s city centre,” says Kris Neyens, manager of internationalization.
Showcasing innovation at Log!Ville
Log!Ville, VIL’s state-of-the-art logistics demonstration and experience centre, stands out as a unique facility in Europe. Companies can visit and explore real innovations in the physical demonstration area, where Log!Ville partners showcase mature yet not widely adopted solutions ready for implementation.
The Digital Experience Centre at Log!Ville invites visitors to delve into the future of logistics, focusing on groundbreaking technologies that help companies become future-proof. Here, visitors can explore the potential of tube logistics with the hyperloop, the extensive applications of AI, dark warehouses, future fuels, and much more.
Log!Ville targets both the trends of the coming decades and market-ready innovations. As a living laboratory, Log!Ville provides a unique environment for demonstrating and testing advanced solutions in sustainability, digitization, and automation. By inspiring and supporting companies in discovering efficient and eco-friendly technologies, Log!Ville plays a crucial role in transforming logistics.
And, new in September 2025, will be the additional immersive room around circular logistics.
