Logistics in Portugal between growing demand and the challenges of obsolescence

On September 23rd, I participated, at the invitation of CBRE, in a meeting dedicated to the logistics sector in Portugal. The event allowed us to understand how this real estate segment has become one of the most dynamic and sought after by investors but also revealed the challenges that the country faces to keep up with the rapid evolution of this market.

By Paulo Lopes, in News · 25 Sep 2025, 08:58 · 0 Comments

The day began with a Welcome Coffee and continued with the intervention of Nuno Torcato, Director of Industrial & Logistics at CBRE Portugal, who presented an overview of the market. It was clear that the demand for logistics assets in Portugal remains strong, especially in strategic locations, confirming that the old motto location , location, location remains valid. However, currently this equation is no longer limited to the geographical factor.

This was followed by José Moutinho, Head of Research at CBRE Portugal, who analyzed the relationship between e-commerce and physical stores. This session was especially remarkable for the way it was conducted. In addition to the depth and rigor of the data presented, José Moutinho revealed a natural predisposition to transform numbers into captivating narratives, with subtle humor and visual impact. It was able to clearly convey that e-commerce and physical retail are not enemies, but complementary pieces of an ecosystem that forces us to rethink distribution networks and proximity strategies. The balance between the depth of the analysis and the lightness of the presentation made this intervention one of the highlights of the morning for many.

Another central theme was the obsolescence of assets. Vasco Trindade, senior consultant in the Industrial & Logistics area, pointed out that many infrastructures in Portugal no longer meet the current needs of the sector. Here, energy efficiency, sustainability and ESG criteria are no longer just an "extra" and become a determining factor. There are assets that, if not renewed, run the risk of losing relevance in an increasingly demanding market.

Michael Costa Gabriel, also a senior consultant at CBRE, brought the perspective on the expected impacts of the logistics network, recalling that the ongoing transformation goes beyond the construction of new warehouses. It is about integrating technology, reducing the environmental footprint and creating conditions for faster, more effective and sustainable operations.

The meeting ended with a networking coffee and left me with a clear conviction: Portugal has all the conditions to continue to attract investment in logistics, but it needs to look at its assets with a strategic vision. Privileged locations are undoubtedly the first criterion of choice for investors, but today they share a leading role with energy efficiency, sustainability and ESG commitments. In certain segments, these factors have already surpassed location in importance.

If in the past real estate was all about "location, location, location", today the future of logistics and residential and commercial real estate in Portugal seems to be all about "location, efficiency and sustainability".

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.