For an international retail company like Lidl, ensuring that deliveries arrive safely and shelves remain stocked is essential. Above all, this requires resilient and controllable supply chains across the globe. That is precisely why we established TAILWIND in 2022. As our central logistics subsidiary, it ensures that goods reach where they are needed both efficiently and reliably – by sea as well as by land.
TAILWIND brings together the two subsidiaries TAILWIND Shipping Lines and TAILWIND Intermodal, both part of Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG. The launch of TAILWIND Shipping Lines was a direct response to the severe supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of ensuring supply security and on-time delivery for Lidl.
What began as the transport of non-food goods produced in Asia for Lidl has steadily evolved. Today, TAILWIND also serves additional customers. What started as a shipping company with three container liner services has developed into a premium partner for integrated logistics solutions. Through smart, customer-centric approaches, TAILWIND is transforming traditional supply chains into true value chains—from factory to shelf.
To enhance efficiency in cargo transport, TAILWIND deliberately relies on smaller vessels and fewer port calls. The focus is on smaller ports located near major trading hubs, helping to avoid long waiting times at congested terminals and enabling faster cargo handling. This is supported by a global network of experienced port agents, ensuring smooth local operations. The result: exceptional reliability and punctuality. In total, TAILWIND operates around 33,000 proprietary containers, including 300 modern refrigerated units for temperature-sensitive goods.
TAILWIND Intermodal is responsible for inland rail transport. A key component is the Panther Shuttle, a direct rail connection from the Slovenian Adriatic port of Koper—served by TAILWIND Shipping Lines—to the cargo terminal in Graz, Austria, a strategic hub along the Baltic-Adriatic corridor. From there, onward transport continues by road and increasingly by rail. Intermodal transport means that goods remain in the same loading unit when switching between modes of transport, eliminating the need for rehandling. This saves time and reduces the risk of damage.
For reliable road transport, we rely on our strong partner Gartner Transport, a leading European logistics company in which Schwarz Group companies hold a stake. Gartner operates more than 2,100 tractor units across Europe, each covering around 115,000 kilometres per year.
Efficient, flexible, and reliable: TAILWIND represents a new generation of logistics solutions. By intelligently combining sea, rail, and road transport, TAILWIND strengthens Lidl’s supply security—while also serving as a trusted premium partner for companies committed to future-ready supply chains.
