On January 1, 2013, Haeger & Schmidt Logistics (HSL) embarks on a joint future with the owner-managed Felbermayr Group. This clears the way for a growth and forward strategy, which HSL is steadily developing step by step together with the new shareholder. Over the ten years, a total of almost 40 million euros are invested in the concept that has made HSL a lead logistics provider for multimodal logistic chains and heavy cargo. The most important stages in where the course was set towards the future are shown below.
2014 Foundation of HSW Logistics GmbH
In October 2014, the Norwegian shipping company Wilson EuroCarriers AS and HSL establish the joint venture HSW Logistics. The joint venture combines the experience and short-sea expertise of the two players. The focus is on liner services to and from Norway and Great Britain. A total of 11 employees organize the chartering of short-sea vessels with a loading capacity of between 1,500 and 8,000 tons.
2017 Everything under one roof
The Haeger & Schmidt Group of Companies reorganizes itself. Haeger & Schmidt International GmbH and H&S Container Line GmbH become Haeger & Schmidt Logistics GmbH. The group’s core expertise include Inland Navigation, Projects, Port Logistics, Intermodal, Shipping & Forwarding and Short Sea. Since 2017, also RKE NV in Antwerp operates under a different name: Haeger & Schmidt Logistics Belgium NV (HSLB). HSLB complements the Group’s service portfolio as a specialist in Maritime Forwarding, Shipping & Forwarding, Intermodal and Inland Navigation. With the renewed merger of the companies under one roof, HSL creates closer connection of the core competencies, exchange of experience and partnership-based innovative processes.
2021 New trimodal terminal in Lauterbourg
In June 2021, operation of the new trimodal terminal with a handling capacity of up to 80,000 TEU per year starts in Lauterbourg, France. In addition, heavy-lift cargo shipments is also possible here. In addition to HSL, three well-known French intermodal players – Paris Terminal, Sogestran Logistics and Port Autonome de Strasbourg – are involved in the operating company Lauterbourg Rhine Terminal (LRT). The modern terminal has ideal conditions for trimodal transshipment and is a strategic extension of HSL’s presence in the Upper Rhine region.
2021 Joint Venture with PSA Breakbulk in Antwerp
In mid-July 2021, Felbermayr Group, HSL and PSA Antwerp conclude a joint venture on the jointly operation of PSA Breakbulk in Antwerp. The Coil Terminal, in which PSA Breakbulk had already a stake, will continue to operate in the future as part of this joint venture under the name PSA Breakbulk. The main businesses of project cargo and steel transport will be even more physically separated. The Churchill South terminal is dedicated to project cargo, while steel logistics takes place at the Churchill North terminal. At the end of 2022, Felbermayr installs a 750 t heavy lift crane at the terminal. This equipment closes the gap in the handling of heavy loads and oversized cargoes between 200 and 750 t. For the further expansion of the “Project Cargo Ecosystem”, more than EUR 2 million will be invested in buildings and equipment in the coming year.
2022 Opening of multifunction hub in Duisburg
On February 1, 2022, HSL starts operating the trimodal multifunction hub on the “ Stahlinsel “in Duisburg. The company has invested 12 million euros in the new-build complex. The centerpiece is the heated 9,000 m² steel hall with a capacity of around 60,000 t for high-quality steel products. An overhead traveling crane with a load capacity of 40 t ensures gentle handling of the sensitive steel coils inside the building. Two half-train tracks each with 210 meters of rails, lead into the hall for handling a block train. At the front of the building is a truck yard with six ramps for rapid handling, including fast stuffing and stripping of containers. In addition, the new building is connected to the large existing building with water connection via a covered coil ferry .
2023 Purchase of a push barge combination
HSL invests in its own shipping fleet: after having chartered three inland container ships on a long-term basis from the Dutch shipping company Delfia Inland Shipping at the beginning of the year, HSL acquires its own push barge combination . This vessel will operate under the name THEMHOF/THEMHOF II in intermodal Network on the Middle and Upper Rhine. The modern vessel and its lighter had already been operating under contract for HSL for years under the name “NORMA/NORMA II”. In total, the push barge combination has a length of 179 m and a capacity of 336 TEU. With this decision, HSL is consciously taking an important step in the expansion and securing of intermodal liner services on the Rhine.