duisport rail GmbH celebrates 25th anniversary

The duisport rail GmbH is celebrating its 25th anniversary and was awarded an official certificate by the Niederrhein Chamber of Industry and Commerce on the occasion of this anniversary. Ocke Hamann, Managing Director of the Niederrhein IHK, emphasized the importance of the Duisburg port as an economic engine for the region and highlighted the role of duisport rail, which makes a significant contribution through efficient rail logistics. In times of increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability, a strong company in rail transport is indispensable.

duisport rail is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duisburger Hafen AG and takes on central tasks in shunting as well as first and last mile transport. In addition, the company is active in regional and interregional rail transport. With a continuous 24/7 operation and qualified employees, duisport rail ensures that industrial value chains remain reliably connected to national and international transport axes.

Strengthening Infrastructure through Own Rail Operators

Lars Nennhaus, Board Member of the duisport Group for Technology and Operations, stated that duisport rail is an essential part of the trimodal infrastructure. It contributes to the Duisburg port fulfilling its role as a central logistics hub in Europe. The development of duisport rail illustrates the importance of having its own rail operator for the future viability of the location.

Hans-Georg Christiansen, Managing Director of duisport rail GmbH, emphasized that the 25-year history of the company stands for reliability, expertise, and commitment of the employees. What once began with a few locomotives has developed into a modern railway company that bears significant responsibility for daily operations in the Duisburg port.

Historical Roots of the Rail Connection

The history of the railway in the Duisburg port dates back to 1848 when the railway line to Duisburg-Ruhrort was opened. The Köln-Mindener Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft built a branch line from the Oberhausen station to Ruhrort to access the port facilities. This line laid the foundation for the significant role of rail in the Duisburg port. With the founding of duisport rail in 2001, this tradition was transferred into a modern corporate structure to strengthen and further develop rail freight transport in the port.

Today, duisport rail is established as a publicly licensed railway company in freight transport within the regional and national rail network. The approximately 200-kilometer rail network of the Duisburg port efficiently connects the internal port areas. Additionally, the company offers regional rail shuttle services within a radius of about 150 kilometers as well as nationwide rail transport services.

Diverse Services in Rail Freight Transport

The operational service spectrum of duisport rail includes not only shunting and traction services but also wagon master services and comprehensive service offerings for customers in the port and beyond. The company’s fleet currently consists of 30 locomotives, two of which are licensed for cross-border traffic to the Netherlands.

duisport rail employs more than 120 staff members, including train drivers and wagon masters, who ensure the daily production operations. As a certified training company with its own educational center, the company is also well-positioned for the training and further education of railway workers.

Through investments in modern locomotives, hybrid and dual-mode technologies, as well as in qualification and training, duisport rail contributes to shifting freight transport to the environmentally friendly rail. Managing Director Hans-Georg Christiansen expressed optimism: „We are proud and at the same time highly motivated to continue strengthening and actively shaping rail transport in the future.“