Ports of Duisburg and Rotterdam Intensify Cooperation

The port authorities of Duisburg and Rotterdam have signed a joint declaration of intent to renew and expand their cooperation agreements dating back to 2020. In addition to the existing agreements for optimizing logistical connections, the collaboration will be extended to initiatives in the areas of digitization and the energy transition. The agreement was signed by Markus Bangen, CEO of duisport, and Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam.

(Duisburg/Rotterdam) DuisPort and the Port of Rotterdam have long been trading partners. More than one million TEU of containers are exchanged between the two logistics hubs each year. Almost a third of this is already transported by rail. Digitization and data exchange could further strengthen the role of this sustainable mode of transport. This declaration of intent aims to create the most digital and sustainable port-inland hub connection in the world by linking Duisburg’s “Rail Freight Data Hub” initiative with Rotterdam’s “Rail Connected” initiative.

Hydrogen Hubs

The declaration of intent also includes agreements to explore the possibility of connecting the port community systems Portbase (Rotterdam) and RheinPorts Information System (Duisburg) and to learn from each other’s initiatives in the area of digital twin projects.

In terms of the energy transition, both ports want to examine whether they can jointly take on the development of hydrogen hubs. Rotterdam as the future “Hydrogen Gateway” for Europe and duisport as a hub for Germany. Establishing a physical connection between the two ports is therefore a logical decision.

“We face significant challenges that we will tackle together much faster, more efficiently, and more intelligently,” says Markus Bangen. “Especially in the areas of digitization and the energy transition, it is important to collaborate and share our knowledge and expertise. I am therefore very pleased that we will continue the trusting partnership between the ports of Duisburg and Rotterdam.”

Like-minded Partners

Allard Castelein is also particularly pleased about the renewal and expansion of the cooperation: “Digitization and the energy transition are just as important for duisport’s strategy as they are for our own. We believe in the power of collaboration with like-minded organizations. This declaration of intent is a positive step in that direction.”

Photo: © Marc Nolte / Caption: Allard Castelein (CEO Port of Rotterdam) & Markus Bangen (CEO duisport)