Following a successful antitrust review, the joint logistics company of thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH and Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) will commence operations. With thyssenkrupp holding 51 per cent and duisport 49 per cent, this joint venture aims to combine the capabilities of both partners in order to further develop Europe's largest steel and logistics location.
Matthias Beughold from duisport joined the management team, which already consists of Dirk Langenfurth and Dr Ulf Gebel, in July. Together they will implement a comprehensive plan for the further development of the joint venture.
Optimisation of existing capacities and creation of synergies
Markus Micken, responsible for logistics at thyssenkrupp Steel, comments:
“We are delighted that we can now get started following approval by the Federal Cartel Office. Europe's largest steel location and the world's largest inland port, which together handle over 60 million tonnes of raw materials and bulk goods per year, are natural partners for developing logistics and transformation in Duisburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. We are now going full steam ahead.”
The joint venture aims to optimally utilise existing capacities and create synergies in the areas of expertise, flexibility and adaptability. This is particularly important in the context of thyssenkrupp Steel's ecological transformation towards sustainable steel production. The company is also opening its doors to third-party business.
duisport is contributing its expertise in port and distribution logistics as well as in the digitalisation of handling technologies. thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics, on the other hand, is contributing its extensive experience in handling bulk goods and the use of push boats and barges.
Shaping the future through new business areas and international networks
With the decline in coal handling due to the green transition, the joint venture plans to utilise the freed-up handling capacity for other business activities, including the potential handling of biomass. This move not only supports thyssenkrupp Steel in its transformation, but also offers new customers opportunities for logistics services.
“Over the past 25 years, as a key player in structural change, we have shown that we can successfully shape change. We have also built up an extensive international network that is directly connected to the seaports, the Mediterranean region, Asia and America. Together with thyssenkrupp Steel, we want to play an active role in shaping the future of the Rhine-Ruhr business location,” says Markus Bangen, CEO of the new co-owner duisport.
Thanks to the connection to the Rhine-Ruhr metropolis and the new opportunities to satisfy the growing demand for supply chains, the joint utilisation of port capacities along the Rhine by duisport and thyssenkrupp is valuable in terms of perspective. This provides security for the employment and future of thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics employees, regardless of changes in volume due to the transformation – a good signal for the Duisburg location and the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.