Joint venture between Thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics and port of Duisburg picks up speed

Following approval of the transaction by the Federal Cartel Office, the logistics joint venture between thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH and Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) is picking up speed. thyssenkrupp Steel will continue to hold 51 percent of the joint venture, with duisport holding a 49 percent interest in the future. The joint venture was founded with the goal of pooling expertise, making optimum use of existing capacities and, as partners, further developing Europe's largest steel and logistics location. "We are delighted that we can now get under way, having received approval from the Federal Cartel Office," says Markus Micken, responsible for logistics at thyssenkrupp Steel, with relief: "Europe's largest steel location and the world's largest inland port, together handling over 60 million metric tons of raw materials and bulk goods annually, are natural partners for the ongoing development of logistics and the transformation in Duisburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. We are now going full steam ahead."

"Better instead of cheaper" – with this slogan, thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics GmbH (which was spun off in 2022) garnered the support not only of the duisport Group, but also of its own workforce of around 300 employees and the works council members for the planned joint venture. The goals of the strategic partnership between the two companies are as follows: achieving synergy effects in terms of expertise, greater flexibility and adaptability, which are particularly necessary in the course of thyssenkrupp Steel's transformation to climate-friendly steel production, as well as opening up to third-party business.

As an expert in port and distribution logistics, duisport brings extensive logistics expertise to the joint venture, for example in port and handling technology, and its digitalization. For example, duisport has crane control software in its portfolio that thyssenkrupp Steel has been buying in to date. Conversely, thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics scores with its extensive expertise in bulk goods handling, and the use of push boats and lighters. After all, the Schwelgern port currently handles around 20 million metric tons of raw materials such as ores, sintered fuels and coking coal every year, making it one of the best-performing inland ports in Germany.

Source and Photo: Thyssenkrupp Steel