The cooperation between the inland shipping company Rijnmond Logistics Beheer BV, Felbermayr’s new holding company ,and Haeger & Schmidt (HSL) has picked up speed. The experts on the Rhine and Moselle complement each other perfectly.
“After just six months, the associated company Rijnmond Logistics has been fully integrated into our network. The established brand will be retained and strengthened. The main aim is to exploit synergy effects, support each other operationally and position ourselves more broadly,” says Stefan Hütten, Chief Development Officer at HSL, giving an overview. Since the beginning of January 2024, he has also been involved in the management of Rijnmond Logistics. Hütten describes his role as a link between HSL and Felbermayr. Van Putten, who founded Rijnmond Logistics five years ago in Papendrecht, the Netherlands, continues to hold the reins of operational management. He confirms the successful start: “As hoped, we are very satisfied with the cooperation with our HSL colleagues.”
The partners want to bundle their strengths in inland shipping and jointly expand their portfolio in terms of routes, capacities and cargo. HSL will contribute its expertise on the Benelux-Rhine axis. The focus of Rijnmond Logistics is on the Moselle, particularly in the chartering of bulk goods with its own ships and crews. Van Putten outlines the strategic goal: “We want to jointly expand our market share on the Moselle. The complementary networks open up new opportunities and possibilities, which we can consistently exploit thanks to our new organizational structure under the Felbermayr umbrella.” According to van Putten, it was not a major change, as he and his young, dedicated team have been working with HSL for several years.
Reducing empty positioning
One of the first measures was to share important information with each other so that freight and capacities are even better matched. Van Putten explains: “For example, we systematically exchange information on ship positions and open cargo in order to minimize empty positions.” The first projects have got off to an uncomplicated start. This also includes supporting each other with capacities at short notice. For example, the Intermodal division lacked around a quarter of its capacity in winter due to the flooding on the Upper Rhine and the resulting reduced loading options. Rijnmond Logistics helped out at short notice and provided shipping space for the empty containers. The company also works together with HSL’s Inland Navigation Division. “Together with HSL-Duisburg, we were able to conclude a contract for conventional cargo as our first success. We have already loaded three ships destined for the Danube with dry bulk cargo for the new customer,” reports van Putten. Further projects are in the pipeline.
Better access to operations and crewing
Two other areas of expertise at Rijnmond Logistics are manning and technical support for ships. “This is what we use for our coupling unit, the KV Themhof,” says Hütten. In future, the plan is to organize crew planning and technical support, including maintenance and repair work, entirely via Rijnmond Logistics.
Smart: autonomous lane assistant
The partners agree to gradually lead the fleet towards the future with smart technology. Both companies are relying on Shipping Technology, a Dutch digitalization expert for the shipping industry. The entry into semi-autonomous driving has already been made for part of the fleet. “On the Rhine and Moselle, an autonomous lane assistant supports the captain and ensures that fewer steering maneuvers are required and the course is optimally maintained. This also leads to lower fuel consumption and thus contributes to better sustainability,” explains Hütten. The smart technology from Shipping Technologie also provides extensive ship data in real time. This includes the ship’s position, fuel consumption, speed and rudder position. Hütten concludes: “Thanks to this new transparency, we can influence the further optimization of operations, for example by reducing our emissions by adjusting our speed.”
Picture caption: Rijnmond Logistics’ focus is on the Moselle, and in particular on the chartering of bulk goods with its own ships and crews. Image source: Rijnmond Logistics