NACE 52 – Warehousing and Support Activities for Transportation | Public Tenders
NACE 52 Warehousing: public contracts for warehousing, cargo handling, port and airport operation. CPV codes, contracting authorities and typical tenders.
Definition: NACE 52 covers warehousing and other support activities for transport — from storage through handling to the operation of terminals, ports and freight handling centres. Public contracting authorities award concessions for infrastructure operation and service framework agreements here.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 52 cover?
NACE 52 (Warehousing and support activities for transportation) classifies logistics service providers, warehouse operators and transport infrastructure operators — relevant for the public sector both as concession grantors and as buyers of logistics services.
| Group | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 52.1 | Warehousing and storage | Storage, climate-controlled cold stores, bonded warehouses, hazardous substance warehouses |
| 52.2 | Support activities for transportation | Cargo handling, port operation, travel agencies, freight forwarding services, transport telematics |
Public Tenders – Warehousing and support activities for transportation
Public tenders in this area cover both infrastructure operation and operational logistics services:
- Operation of public logistics centres and transhipment yards
- Port operation and port handling (publicly owned sea and inland ports)
- Warehousing services for public authorities (document archives, material warehouses)
- Traffic management centres and telematics operation (toll collection, congestion management)
- Warehousing of civil protection material (federal government, regional governments, civil protection)
- Rail operating services (shunting, train marshalling)
Relevant CPV codes
| CPV code | Title | Field of application |
|---|---|---|
| 63120000 | Storage and warehousing services | Warehousing, archive storage |
| 63110000 | Cargo handling services | Port and terminal handling |
| 63734000 | Pipeline-operating services | Container handling and storage |
| 63500000 | Travel agency, tour operator and tourist assistance services | Centralised official travel booking |
| 63712000 | Highway, road, bridge and tunnel operation services | Port operation and administration |
| 48813000 | Passenger information system | Transport telematics, dynamic displays |
Contracting authorities
- Port administrations (federal waterways administration, regional ports, municipal ports)
- Federal ministries and federal authorities (warehousing, material management)
- Bundeswehr and civil protection (strategic reserves, civil protection)
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and similar institutions
- Transport associations and infrastructure operators (telematics services)
FAQ
Is the operation of ports subject to utility sector procurement law? Port operators that use sea or inland ports are utility sector contracting entities under the utility sector procurement rules where they award contracts for port operation. This applies to public-law and private port operating companies acting on the basis of special rights.
How are warehousing services for public authorities tendered? Warehousing services are service contracts. Above the threshold (EUR 221,000), EU-wide tendering is required. Framework agreements are frequently concluded with several providers over four years, with call-off quotas for individual warehouse locations.
- NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section
- NACE 49 – Land transport: Road and rail transport
- NACE 53 – Postal and courier activities: Letter post and parcels
Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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