SIL Barcelona begins by highlighting the capacity for innovation and the importance of logistics in the global economy

• The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano; the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Jordi Valls; the Executive President of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona and of SIL, Pere Navarro; and the Director General of the CZFB and of SIL, Blanca Sorigué.

• The discussions on this first day focused on the impact of the global context on international trade and supply chains, as well as on the role of air freight and the lack of parity in the sector.

• The Asociación de Centros de Transporte y Logística de España (ACTE) and the European Association of Logistics Platforms (Europlatforms EEIG) celebrated their 35th anniversary at an event that brought together the sector.

Barcelona, June 3, 2026. – This morning marked the opening of the 28th edition of SIL Barcelona, Spain’s leading trade fair in logistics, transport, intralogistics and supply chain, and one of the world’s key benchmarks. Organized by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), the event brings together the entire supply chain until June 5 at Hall 8 of Fira de Barcelona’s Plaça Espanya–Montjuïc. The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano; the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Jordi Valls; the Executive President of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona and of SIL, Pere Navarro; and the Director General of the CZFB and of SIL, Blanca Sorigué.

During the opening ceremony, the authorities in attendance highlighted the capacity for innovation and adaptation of a sector that is key to the global economy and to society as a whole, operating 24/7 to ensure the provision of all kinds of services and needs while responding to a wide range of scenarios and situations. In this regard, the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, stated that “If there is a place where some of the answers to the major transformations facing the logistics sector can be found, it is, without a doubt, SIL: an event that invites us to look beyond, with a long-term perspective, and that highlights a sector that is the backbone of the economy and an essential link in the development of multiple industries”.

“Today, Barcelona once again takes its place on the global logistics map with a new edition of SIL, a trade fair that turns innovation into opportunity and projects from Barcelona a smarter, more sustainable and connected logistics”, highlighted Pere Navarro, Executive President of CZFB and President of SIL. “When logistics works, the economy works as well, and that is why this sector needs more than ever talent, adaptability and a firm commitment to new technologies. The word innovation is very present in today’s logistics, and it is no coincidence that SIL is held in Barcelona: a city with fertile ground for driving smart solutions, thanks to its strategic location, its business ecosystem and its ability to connect industry, knowledge and the future,” Navarro concluded.

The Director General of the CZFB and SIL, Blanca Sorigué, stressed that “today we are inaugurating a SIL that not only reflects the strength of the logistics sector, but also its capacity to lead the global economic transformation through innovation and knowledge”. She also recalled that “SIL Barcelona 2026 is, once again, the meeting point where talent, technology and business connect to drive a smarter, more efficient and more sustainable logistics sector”.

During his speech, Jaume Baró, Secretary for Business and Competitiveness of the Government of Catalonia, stated that “logistics moves the world and is a key component of the economic ecosystem. It is not enough to produce: it is essential to ensure that goods and services reach where they are needed. In an increasingly competitive environment, logistics is fully integrated into the value chain and into companies’ strategic decision-making. In this context, SIL is consolidating itself as the meeting point to analyze this reality and anticipate sector trends, with artificial intelligence and other technologies as key allies to build even more efficient and competitive logistics”.

Finally, the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Jordi Valls, recalled that “we are facing a new context that requires more advanced and intelligent logistics infrastructures. SIL responds precisely to this challenge: it is the space where these dynamics are analyzed and solutions are anticipated. Because today logistics cannot be understood without geopolitics, nor without intelligence — and this is only possible thanks to the talent of the people who make it a reality”.

A sector meeting point and international forum for debate

SIL Barcelona has opened its doors, maintaining its position as an international meeting point for the sector, with the participation of more than 600 companies—30% of them international—from countries such as Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, China, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, the United States, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Romania, Turkey, and Switzerland. Additionally, around 15,000 professionals are expected to visit the exhibition from today until Friday to discover more than 160 innovations and find solutions tailored to their needs. Notably, 93% of attendees are involved in their companies’ decision-making processes, ensuring that the fair is also a key space for business and opportunities.

Likewise, SIL Barcelona becomes an international forum for debate over these three days, addressing all kinds of challenges, trends, and opportunities for the logistics sector, with the participation of more than 250 top-level speakers. The discussions on this first day focused on the impact of the global context on international trade and the supply chain, with international experts attending SIL to examine how geopolitics is affecting the different links in the supply chain. Representatives from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), the Spanish Shippers Council (ESC), GSA, the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE), the European Logistics Association (ELA), TuComex, and the Institute for Careers and Innovation in Logistics & Supply Chain (ICIL) gathered today at the International Trade Summit.

Along the same lines, the trade fair hosted Spain Air Cargo Day today, an event organized in collaboration with the Air Cargo Club, the Air Cargo Commission of Barcelona-Catalunya Centre Logístic (BCL), and the Asociación de Cargadores de España (ACE). The session analysed the state of air cargo, air trade flows, the consolidation of e-commerce, new innovation systems, and the impact of customs changes within the framework of the new geopolitical context.

The Asociación de Centros de Transporte y Logística de España celebrates its 35th anniversary

One of the highlights of the opening day at SIL was led by the Asociación de Centros de Transporte y Logística de España (ACTE) and the European Association of Logistics Platforms (Europlatforms EEIG), which celebrated their 35th anniversary. The celebration took place during ACTE’s General Assembly and included an awards ceremony recognizing individuals who have contributed to the promotion and development of these leading associations in the field of transport centres and logistics platforms. The event was attended by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Transport and Mobility, José Antonio Santano; the Secretary for Sustainable Mobility, Sara Hernández; the President of ACTE, Ramón Vázquez; the President of Europlatforms, Alberto Milotti; the President of CETM, Carmelo González; and the Executive President of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona and of SIL, Pere Navarro.

A space for advocacy and recognition

Throughout its long history, SIL Barcelona has made a significant contribution to raising the visibility of the logistics sector, as well as its challenges and needs. One of the key issues highlighted today in the ZF Room was the lack of parity in the sector. Precisely to showcase the role of women who are building their careers in logistics and to provide role models for new generations, this space—organized by the CZFB—hosted an interview today with Sara Hernández, Secretary General for Sustainable Mobility at the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility; the session “Women Who Move the World: Female Leadership in Logistics and Supply Chain”; and the Women in Logistics networking cocktail, which brought together a large number of professionals.

Similarly, the trade fair also serves as a platform for recognizing innovative initiatives, with award ceremonies such as the Corredores Awards, which will take place this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the SIL Auditorium, and the SIL 2026 Best Innovation Award, which will be presented tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at the CZFB stand.

Finally, tonight will host the most special event, bringing together authorities, participating companies, and institutional representatives for the gala evening, Nit de la Logística, which will be presided over by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente; the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni; the Executive President of the CZFB and President of SIL, Pere Navarro; and the Director General of the CZFB and SIL, Blanca Sorigué.