The first session explored the impact of rapidly expanding global e-commerce, driven by the swift growth of Chinese e-commerce platforms, on international e-commerce supply chains, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), and the evolving roles of national postal operators, express integrators, and e-commerce platforms with contributions of Antonia Niederprüm (WIK), James Campbell (Attorney, USA), José Anson (UPU) and Roel Gevaers (University of Antwerp), and Emanuele Frezza (UPS Europe).
The second session focused on sustainability and innovations from both regulatory and operator perspectives. Dirk Appelmans (BIPT) described the implementation of reporting obligations in Belgium. Thorsten Freers (Amazon) presented examples of the use of AI and robotics. Lukas Beckedorff (DHL Group) introduced the concept of DeinFach, a developing network of open parcel lockers.
The third session addressed the future of the universal postal service. Sonja Thiele (WIK) highlighted significant differences among EU countries regarding the pace of digitalization and letter volume decline. Dan Sjöblom (President of PTS and Chair ERGP) and Kristin Bergum (Post Norway) pointed out that a faster decline in letter volumes may require more drastic measures, such as the potential discontinuation of home delivery as a universal service in Norway. Meanwhile, the UK’s Ofcom has proposed a slower adaptation strategy to ensure user needs are met, as explained by Hannah Mummery (Ofcom).
Highlights of the seminar were the dinner speech by Daniela Brönstrup, Vice President of the Bundesnetzagentur and the panel discussion. In her speech, Daniela Brönstrup outlined key elements of the new German postal law. The panel discussion featured insights from Robert Pochmarski (European Commission, DG GROW), Kristin Bergum, David Levitt (Ofcom, UK), and Dan Sjöblom. The debate was marked by a lively discussion on the future of the universal postal service and the potential consequences of PostNord’s decision to discontinue letter services in Denmark by the end of 2025.
21st Königswinter Postal Seminar
Vivid discussions on the future of the postal universal service
March 13 - 14, 2025
Postal, parcel and express service providers, regulators and researchers met at the 21st Königswinter Postal Seminar to discuss the future of the industry. While previous seminars were repeatedly characterised by the topic of declining letter and growing parcel volumes, this year’s event marked the first time to debate a decision of a European postal operator to discontinue letter delivery services and focus on the parcel business.
