Attending this year's NVIDIA GTC, one of Europe’s major AI conferences, it was clear that from equipment shortages to a fragmented data centre landscape, early logistics planning will be crucial to delivering AI infrastructure. The future of AI will depend not just on who develops the technology, but on who can deliver the physical infrastructure behind it.

The Race for Critical Equipment

When it comes to the physical infrastructure for AI, much of the discussion in both the industry and the media focuses on computing power, chips and servers, the parts 'inside the rack'. The supply of computing equipment is already constrained and pressure will only continue to grow as the use of AI accelerates.

When ASML, the Dutch manufacturer of advanced semiconductor production equipment, published its Q3 results, the point was illustrated clearly. They confirmed that planned production levels for both 2027 and 2028 would not fully meet customer demand, and that they would be exploring ways to increase capacity for 2028 beyond the 30% increase already announced.

Within the industry, there is equal focus on securing and delivering infrastructure such as electrical systems, battery storage and cooling systems. This is the essential 'outside the rack' equipment data centres need to keep running, but long lead times are a key challenge. 

JLL’s 2026 Global Data Centre Market Outlook reported the average lead time for data centre equipment at 33 weeks, 50% above pre-2020 levels, and confirmed that 57% of projects experienced delays of at least three months in 2025. The issue is particularly acute in EMEA, where lead times can reach 100 weeks for transformers, more than 75 weeks for generators, around 50 weeks for switchgear and more than 45 weeks for chillers.

Navigating Europe's Fragmented AI Landscape

The fragmentation of the data centre market, with conditions for development varying between countries and even between regions within the same country, only compounds the pressures on critical supply chains.

The European Commission’s August 2026 study on cloud and AI development in the EU highlighted that "persistent cross-border barriers, including divergent procurement practices, security requirements and compliance obligations, further limit scalability and contribute to uneven uptake”. In response, the EU’s proposed Cloud and AI Development Act aims to create a more coherent framework for developing capacity across the EU, but reducing these differences between Member States will take time.

This has important implications for the development of AI infrastructure across Europe as, based on current trends, we expect to see many smaller, more distributed data centres alongside the hyperscale projects, particularly given the growing role of edge computing.

Different Projects, Different Solutions

For logistics providers, the diversity of Europe’s AI infrastructure market means that logistics solutions must be tailored to individual customers and local conditions. Three core capabilities enable us to offer this degree of flexibility:

1. Experience

Our experience supporting data centre customers in the US, where we operate more than 50 sites and support five of the seven largest hyperscalers, has given us a detailed understanding of the sector’s operational demands. That expertise is shared worldwide through cross-regional teams, helping us apply lessons from the US as Europe’s market evolves.

2. Presence

Our network allows us to respond and mobilise capabilities as opportunities emerge, helping customers move equipment across borders. In such a fast-moving sector, this reach can provide valuable flexibility when project locations, delivery schedules and requirements change.

3. Connections

Our biggest advantage in Europe is our ability to bring together capabilities across the full supply chain. Crucially, this includes the ports and terminals we operate, as well as our contract logistics and freight forwarding teams from the UK right across to Türkiye. For data centre equipment, this gives us the ability to consider the journey from the point of entry into Europe through to onward delivery, rather than treating each stage in isolation. Combining these capabilities with local market knowledge and sector experience gives us the flexibility to develop solutions around the needs of individual projects, whether they involve a large campus or a more distributed facility.

From Logistics Provider to Strategic Partner

For data centre developers and operators, the key takeaway from NVIDIA GTC is that logistics should be part of project planning from the outset, not an afterthought once equipment has been ordered or construction is under way. Early input can help developers identify constraints, coordinate deliveries, anticipate regulatory challenges and make informed decisions about sourcing, transport and storage before they affect project timelines.

While this may be self-evident for hyperscalers managing very complex, large-scale projects, the same principle applies to smaller developments. Early coordination can be a key success factor for projects of all sizes.

We work with customers of every size, from major hyperscale campuses to smaller, more distributed facilities, developing solutions suited to their specific needs. Logistics is about more than moving equipment, and brought in early, we can help mitigate risks and shape strategic decisions. The earlier we understand your plans, the more we can contribute to putting the right solutions in place.

Planning a data centre project in Europe? Our integrated cloud and data logistics network ensures total control over every movement, from product assembly to rack deployment and decommissioning. Talk to an expert.