Omniva, an international technology and logistics group, has opened its first MicroHUB in Tallinn as a pilot for more flexible last-mile parcel delivery. The hub is a specially adapted container fitted with security systems and located within a courier’s delivery area.
Under the setup, couriers can collect additional parcels during their rounds instead of making a lengthy return trip to a sorting centre. Omniva says this should save time, help parcels reach customers faster and allow more cargo bikes to be used instead of vans, supporting greener urban logistics.
Pilot scope and next steps
The company expects the first results within a month and will use them to determine the next steps. In the next phase, it plans to test parcel collection from the MicroHUB with Crowd Delivery couriers. If the pilot is successful, Omniva intends to introduce more MicroHUBs in Tallinn and a similar solution in Riga, Vilnius and Kaunas.
Hannes Falten, head of delivery innovation at Omniva, said initial estimates suggest a MicroHUB could save each courier up to three hours a day and allow them to serve around 20 additional customers. He described the approach as a way to handle growing parcel volumes without adding more vans to city streets and to move towards smarter logistics with a smaller environmental footprint.
Omniva also said the Tallinn hub has a creative element: its exterior was painted by street artist S-Boy’s team to add colour and character to the neighbourhood and give passers-by something to stop and look at.