Joint Venture between thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics and duisport

After the transaction was approved by the Federal Cartel Office, the logistics joint venture between thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH and Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) is gaining momentum. Thyssenkrupp Steel continues to hold 51 percent of the joint venture, while duisport will hold 49 percent in the future. The joint venture was established with the aim of pooling competencies, optimally utilizing existing capacities, and purposefully further developing the largest steel and logistics location in Europe in partnership.

(Duisburg) “We are glad that we can now get started after the approval by the Federal Cartel Office,” says Markus Micken, responsible for logistics at thyssenkrupp Steel, relieved: “The largest steel location in Europe and the largest inland port in the world, with over 60 million tons of raw material and bulk goods handling per year, are natural partners to advance logistics and transformation in Duisburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. We are now tackling this with full steam ahead.”

Adaptability for Europe’s largest inland port

“Better instead of cheaper” – With this slogan, the thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH, which was spun off in 2022, not only convinced the duisport group but also its own workforce of around 300 employees, as well as the co-determination of the planned joint venture. The goals of the strategic partnership between the two companies are synergies in terms of know-how, more flexibility and adaptability, which will be particularly necessary in the course of thyssenkrupp Steel’s transformation to climate-friendly steel production, as well as an opening for third-party business.

As an expert in port and distribution logistics, duisport brings extensive logistical know-how into the joint venture, particularly in port and handling technology and its digitization. For instance, duisport has a crane control software in its portfolio that thyssenkrupp Steel has previously purchased. Conversely, thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics scores points with its extensive expertise in bulk handling and tugboat as well as lighter operations. The Schwelgern port currently handles about 20 million tons of raw materials such as ores, sinter fuels, and coke annually, making it one of the most efficient inland ports in Germany.

Shaping a secure future through utilization of competencies and capacities

In addition to pooling competencies, the joint venture plans to open up available handling capacities in the Duisburg plant harbor to third parties. As part of thyssenkrupp Steel’s “green” transformation, coal handling will gradually be phased out at the Schwelgern port. By 2045 at the latest, one-third of the handling capacity currently used for coal storage will be available for other handling quantities. Here, in addition to the company’s own requirements, third-party business can help. For example, the handling of biomass is a possibility, for which customers at duisport have already expressed interest. “In the last 25 years, we have shown as a key player in structural change that we can successfully shape the transformation. Furthermore, we have built an extensive international network that is directly connected to the seaports, the Mediterranean region, as well as Asia and America. Together with thyssenkrupp Steel, we want to actively shape the future of the economic location Rhine-Ruhr,” says Markus Bangen, CEO of the new co-owner duisport.

Better connections from the water side

The people who have previously only worked side by side in the Duisburg port are also to come closer together. With tugboats, the port basins can be better connected from the water side, instead of using trucks and roads for that purpose. Since both companies bring extensive technical know-how, they can support each other in repair work and thus save on the use of external personnel. Likewise, respective peak loads can be better cushioned together with the resources. Joint qualification of employees is also planned. Training for aspiring crane operators will be expanded to include the use of duisport’s crane simulator. A joint concept is also to be developed for qualification. The new management team is confident: They will implement the joint business activities and forward plan with responsibility for all employees and the owners. In partnership with the duisport group, they plan to elevate the logistics competencies in thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH to a new level and utilize the additional leeway for targeted investments through mutual support. They look forward to the challenge.

Joint use is valuable in the long term

Thanks to the connection to the Rhine-Ruhr metropolis and the new opportunities to meet the growing demand for supply chains, the joint use of port capacities along the Rhine by duisport and thyssenkrupp is valuable in the long term. For the employment and future of the employees of thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics, there is thus security regardless of changes in quantities due to the transformation – a good signal for the Duisburg location and the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.

Photo: © thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH / Image caption: Duisburg Schwelgern