Digital future: RheinPorts GmbH and Duisburger Hafen AG consolidate their expertise

From left to right: Felix Harder, Geschäftsführer RheinPorts GmbH; Gilbert Stimpflin, Präsident CCI Grand Est; Markus Bangen, Vorstandsvorsitzender Duisburger Hafen AG; Florian Röthlingshöfer, Direktor Schweizerische Rheinhäfen. © Casper Thiriet

Press release of RheinPorts GmbH in cooperation with Port of Switzerland, CCI Alsace Eurométropole (Ports de Mulhouse) and duisport

Port of Switzerland and Ports de Mulhouse-Rhin (CCI Grand Est), as shareholders of RheinPorts GmbH (RheinPorts), sign an agreement in principle on a partnership with Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport). In the process, duisport will expand its shareholder base and also invest in RheinPorts. The necessary committee approvals have already been obtained and partnership agreements will be signed shortly. The central objective of the cooperation is to efficiently develop the “RheinPorts Information System” operated by RheinPorts, a digital traffic management platform for container transport by inland waterway, with the participation of Europe’s most important hinterland hub. Specifically, the existing platform is to be gradually expanded to include applications and extended to other freight segments and modes of transport – such as rail.

A partnership of equals: The forthcoming participation of duisport not only gives RheinPorts a further shareholder, but in its future development it will also benefit in particular from the comprehensive experience and network of the world’s largest inland port. At the same time, duisport is using another innovative approach to sustainably improve logistics processes at the Duisburg location, along the Rhine and in the hinterland in general.

RheinPorts Information System (RPIS) is the first comprehensive port communication system (traffic management platform) in the hinterland of Europe. Today, it covers the handling of container ships at numerous inland ports on the Upper Rhine. In simple terms, the system exchanges necessary information between all relevant stakeholders in international supply chains in order to support the physical transport of goods and, in particular, transhipment at logistics hubs in the best possible way. In the future, RPIS will be expanded to include further functionalities and goods segments, especially with the participation of duisport. For example, essential customs processes for inland navigation between Switzerland and the EU are to be handled via RPIS. RPIS will also offer applications for rail freight transport at logistics hubs. RheinPorts aims to continuously expand the port communication system functionally and geographically in line with market requirements and together with partners and users. The platform is to form a standard on the Rhine and in the European hinterland. In the future, RPIS will be expanded as an intelligent service platform and integrated into the flow of goods and supply chains, becoming a so-called “Smart Port and Logistics Service Platform”.

Florian Röthlingshöfer, Director of Port of Switzerland: “The partnership with duisport enables us to make great strides in digitalisation for the networking of ports and inland navigation along the Rhine. RPIS is established in the market, the majority of shipping companies and terminal operators in the Basel area use the platform today. duisport is a strong partner. Together we want to further develop the system, integrate new freight segments and inland ports.”

Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG: “We are very pleased about the promising partnership between duisport and RheinPorts. The RPIS is an important milestone for the digitalisation of inland navigation in Europe. The concept of the traffic management platform will also advance the Duisburg location. As the Port of Duisburg, we want to make a significant contribution to the further development of the system in order to create added value for the entire industry.”

Gilbert Stimpflin, President CCI Grand Est: “The Port de Mulhouse was one of the founding fathers of RheinPorts over 15 years ago. The success story of RheinPorts proves that the collaborative approach of joining forces to overcome challenges together is the right way to go. We are very pleased and convinced that the cooperation with duisport will expand our leading position in digitalisation with RPIS and also provide the space to jointly address new challenges and requirements from politics and business.”

Information on RheinPorts GmbH:

RheinPorts GmbH (RheinPorts) is a company under German law. Port of Switzerland and Ports de Mulhouse-Rhin (CCI Grand Est) are currently shareholders in the company. RheinPorts operates the electronic traffic management platform RheinPorts Information System. The CEO of RheinPorts GmbH is Felix Harder, the supervisory board is presided over by Martin Nusser.

Information on Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport):

MORE THAN A PORT – Duisburger Hafen AG is the owner and management company of the Port of Duisburg, the largest inland port in the world. duisport offers full-service packages for the port and logistics location in the areas of infrastructure and suprastructure, including settlement management. In addition, the subsidiaries provide logistics services such as the establishment and optimisation of transport and logistics chains, rail freight services, facility management, contract and packaging logistics.

Further information: Port of Switzerland www.portofswitzerland.ch  / duisport www.duisport.de /

Contact:

Simon Oberbeck, Communication Port of Switzerland,
+41 61 639 95 97, simon.oberbeck@portof.ch

Felix Harder, CEO RheinPorts GmbH,
+41 61 639 95 94, felix.harder@rheinports.net