When Christoph Schoppmann talks about terminals, it rarely sounds technical – but surprisingly human. As Team Manager Operations at HPC, he thinks in processes, but also in interactions. Automation, he says, is not an end in itself, but “a means to make operations more reliable and to ease the burden on people.”

For more than a decade, Christoph has been involved in international projects at the interface of ports, hinterland transport, and rail. He coordinates feasibility studies, develops operating models, evaluates investments, and ensures that complex logistics systems are not only designed efficiently, but also run sustainably in practice.

His journey with HPC began in 2010, after studying economics in Mannheim. Logistics and transport geography fascinated him early on – not because of the models, but because of their dynamics: where freight flows meet real-world locations, stories emerge, along with conflicts and solutions.

The rhythm of terminals

Christoph’s work often begins where processes reach their limits or where new technologies must prove their practical value. In recent years, he has supported numerous projects focused on the automation and modernization of intermodal facilities – including a terminal in Kansas City that he led from initial concept through to commissioning.

He deliberately avoids the term “optimization,” preferring instead to speak of understanding processes. Because anyone who attempts to automate without truly knowing operational reality risks designing solutions that miss the people they are meant to serve.

That is why he spends a great deal of time on site – on the terminal, in conversation with staff, immersed in daily operations. He observes how processes actually work and assesses where technology creates real value – and where it doesn’t.

For him, automation is not about the push of a button, but a process that requires trust.

Between projects and cultures

Anyone working internationally learns quickly: projects rarely go according to plan – but they succeed when communication works. Whether in Italy, Colombia or the United States, Christoph navigates confidently between different systems, working styles and cultures.

He sees his role not only as a consultant, but also as a translator – between technology and operations, between planning and reality, and between people with different perspectives.

One anecdote from Barranquilla, Colombia stands out: he was once invited to serve on the jury for the port carnival queen. An unexpected moment that reveals how essential trust and personal connection are in international projects.

Where analysis meets empathy

What sets Christoph apart is his calm and precise approach. Between technical requirements and cultural differences, he finds solutions that work – not just on paper, but in real operations.

Curious by nature, he also explores the world beyond work. From his travels, he brings back local cookbooks, experiments with new recipes, and translates impressions into something tangible. For him, logistics and cooking are not so different: both are about timing, interaction, and a keen sense for detail.

In an industry often shaped by visions of future technologies, Christoph deliberately stays close to reality. His approach: improving processes step by step, grounded in a clear understanding of technology, operations, and the people behind them.

Because sustainable efficiency is created where systems work – and where people move forward together.