Rhenus PartnerShip Strengthens Competitive Position in Belgium

Rhenus PartnerShip is now strengthening its competitive position on the Rhine towards Belgium. With a focus on internationalization, the specialist in inland shipping is expanding its connections towards Antwerp and will operate independently in the Belgian market. To this end, Rhenus is increasing its stake in DGA Shipping to 100 percent.

(Duisburg/Antwerp) DGA Shipping operates in inland shipping in Belgium and offers inland shipping services nationwide as well as throughout the ARA region (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp). Key activities include not only chartering but also shipping with its own and third-party cargo space, for example through push boats and push barges. The company specializes in dry cargo shipping in the areas of bulk goods, general cargo, and project cargo. It offers transport to all ports in the Rhine catchment area, to all tributaries of the Rhine, and through German partner companies throughout Germany. From its headquarters in the Port of Antwerp, DGA thus operates a comparable business model to Rhenus PartnerShip in Germany. Until now, Rhenus held 45 percent of the shares; this will now be increased to 100 percent. Previously, HGK Shipping GmbH was the majority shareholder.

“We have decided to sell our shares in DGA Shipping as we want to exit the investment sector. The proceeds from this sale will be invested in the strategic further development of the HGK Shipping Group, particularly in new business areas. We believe that the business at Rhenus is in good hands and wish them much success,” says Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping. “With this full ownership, Rhenus PartnerShip solidifies its position in the market and we can support our customers even more flexibly. The acquisition of shares allows us to maximize synergies, utilize resources more efficiently, and offer our customers an even broader and improved service portfolio,” explains Thomas Maaßen, Managing Director of Rhenus PartnerShip.

For Rhenus, the focus is primarily on Rhine traffic to Antwerp. “We want to expand our connections towards Belgium and take a leading role to successfully establish ourselves in the local market,” continues Thomas Maaßen. In the long term, Rhenus secures a strong competitive position on the Rhine towards Belgium and can rely on the strong network that DGA has built in the past together with Rhenus and HGK.

Proven Team Remains Intact

DGA has, among other things, both its own transport capacities and a large external fleet. “Together with HGK, we have significantly expanded DGA’s business in recent years, particularly in the area of chartering. There was and still is a lot of potential here that we want to further develop,” summarizes Thomas Maaßen. For the employees and customers, nothing changes due to the redistribution of shares. The DGA team will continue to exist as before, and ongoing customer projects and partnerships remain valid.

Photo: © Rhenus / Caption: (l.r.) Thomas Maaßen (Managing Director of Rhenus PartnerShip), Christian Möhrmann (CFO HGK Shipping GmbH), Henning Hirschfeld (Head of Legal HGK Shipping GmbH), Steffen Bauer (CEO HGK Shipping GmbH), Marcel Meyer (CFO Rhenus Port Logistics), Hubert Magnus (CFO DGA Shipping B.V.), Raphael Cools (Managing Director CFNR Antwerp N.V. and now second Managing Director DGA Shipping B.V.), Dirk Verstraeten (Managing Director HGK Logistics Antwerp, formerly Managing Director of DGA Shipping B.V.)