Way Clear for Logistics Joint Venture at Duisburg Port

Duisport and Thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics have received the green light from the Federal Cartel Office for the establishment of a joint venture. The approval allows Duisport to take a 49 percent stake in the new logistics company, while Thyssenkrupp Steel holds the remaining 51 percent. A company spokesperson announced that the joint venture would commence 'short-term.' The amount of Duisport's investment has not been disclosed. Thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics manages the industrial ports in Duisburg-Schwelgern and -Walsum, which are situated on the Rhine. These ports are central to handling coal and iron ore for Thyssenkrupp Steel as well as for the dispatch of steel products. The partnership aims to offer parts of the handling capacities to third-party customers to open up the market. The Federal Cartel Office expressed no significant competitive concerns regarding the project. Duisport's influence on the port infrastructure of the industrial ports will remain limited. The port capacities will continue to be predominantly used by Thyssenkrupp. According to the authority, the expected third-party business in cargo handling will have only a minor impact on Duisport's market position in the medium term. Thyssenkrupp Steel Logistics employs approximately 300 staff and handles around 25 million tons annually in the Duisburg ports. For comparison, about 36 million tons of bulk goods were handled in the Port of Hamburg in 2023. Duisport is one-third owned by the City of Duisburg and two-thirds by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Duisburg inland port is considered the largest in the world.