HGK Shipping and Salzgitter cooperate

The overarching goal is to further develop and establish low-emission logistics chains. The focus here is on the development and expansion of paired transport, i.e. the generation of return loads to avoid empty runs, as well as the optimized utilization of existing shipping space. The intelligent combination and planning of transports are particularly suited to this cooperation. While Salzgitter Flachstahl specializes in the production of flat steel products for vehicle and tube manufacturers and the construction industry, DEUMU is active in the recycling and trading of steel scrap, metals and alloys.

Both Salzgitter companies want to increase the use of inland waterways in their logistics chains as part of their sustainability efforts. Salzgitter AG companies are connected to the waterway system at numerous locations, with the result that over one million tons of steel and steel pre-products are already transported by inland waterway on Europe's waterways every year. A share that can be further increased if the right conditions are created.

"Inland waterway vessel one of the most sustainable modes of transport"

Sandrina Sieverdingbeck, Managing Director of DEUMU, explains the cooperation: "The Salzgitter Group has set itself the strategic goal of being a leader in the circular economy. The use of steel scrap to produce crude steel will be a central component of this. This also includes the sustainable logistics of this important secondary raw material. We want to further expand the waterway transport route. This can only succeed with strong partners."

Fabian Gerdes, Head of Customer Logistics at SZFG, also emphasizes the importance of the planned cooperation: "We will also increasingly establish sustainable solutions such as inland shipping in the supply and logistics chains. This is sometimes given little consideration in the public debate and perception when it comes to the topic of traffic turnaround and relieving road congestion. Yet inland shipping is already one of the most sustainable modes of transport today and is fundamental to the steel industry, offering potential for increasing transport volumes in the short and medium term."

Florian Bleikamp, Head of Chartering Canal at HGK Dry Shipping GmbH, emphasizes: "The cooperation with the Salzgitter Group confirms that the need for sustainable solutions on the waterway system is unbroken. Future-proof solutions that meet the requirements of climate protection, economic efficiency and security of supply can only be created if we tackle the challenges together - industry and logistics hand in hand."

Participation in the "SEAFAR" project

Digitalization also plays a major role in this context. The cooperation partners have agreed to take part in the SEAFAR pilot project to test semi-autonomous inland shipping in Germany with their transports as soon as this has been approved by the relevant authorities. To this end, dry cargo vessels used by HGK Shipping to and from Salzgitter will be retrofitted with the appropriate technology for remote control from land.

In the medium term, the close cooperation should also contribute to the development of new and additional shipping space that meets the requirements of innovative and sustainable inland shipping and the needs of the steel industry for decarbonization and security of supply in equal measure. The signing of the MoU is now the starting signal for further projects.