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May 29, 2026 at 1:40 PM
DSV has introduced a fleet of forklifts at the trade fair location in Cologne that are exclusively powered by green hydrogen. This measure represents a step towards low-emission logistics in trade fair operations. As the official logistics service provider for Koelnmesse, DSV is responsible for the implementation of this technology at Germany’s third-largest trade fair venue.
The new fuel cell vehicles are emission-free and produce only water vapor during operation, without emitting CO2 or other pollutants. The hydrogen used to power the forklifts is obtained through electrolysis from water and is generated exclusively using renewable energy sources. This ensures that no CO2 emissions occur during the production of the energy carrier and that fossil fuels are not utilized.
Efficient infrastructure for hydrogen technology
A significant advantage of this technology is its practicality in trade fair operations. The forklifts are characterized by short refueling times and high operational availability, which is particularly beneficial during the intense setup and teardown phases of large events. To create the necessary infrastructure, a dedicated hydrogen refueling station has been installed directly on the trade fair grounds in collaboration with Koelnmesse and JAG, a provider of hydrogen refueling stations. The supply of hydrogen is provided by Tyczka Hydrogen, which has installed special MaxiPacks on-site from which the hydrogen is made available for refueling.
Jörg Pries, Managing Director and Head of Cluster DACH at DSV Fairs & Events, emphasizes the importance of this initiative: “Together with Koelnmesse, we are actively advancing sustainable logistics solutions. With the commissioning of the first ten hydrogen-powered forklifts and a dedicated H2 refueling station, we are taking an important step at the Cologne location.” He highlights that this is the first DSV trade fair location in Germany with a hydrogen-based forklift fleet and corresponding refueling infrastructure.
Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, also sees this project as a significant advancement: “We are proud to take another important step towards sustainability and climate neutrality in trade fair operations with the use of fuel cell technology and green hydrogen.” He emphasizes that many measures to secure a sustainable future for the industry are taking place behind the scenes, where pioneering work and innovations are being driven forward.
