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De Jong Shipping Group has acquired a minority stake in TransMatch, marking the Dutch inland shipping operator’s first structural move into the Belgian market as it looks to expand its commercial footprint across Northwest Europe.
The participation took effect retroactively from Jan. 1, 2026, according to the companies. Financial details were not disclosed.
Belgian market access drives expansion
The deal strengthens De Jong Shipping’s inland navigation activities while giving the company access to Belgium’s tightly connected family owned shipping market. For inland shipping operators, local relationships often matter as much as fleet size. That makes partnerships a faster route to growth than simply adding more vessels in an already competitive market.
TransMatch operates across the ARA region, Belgium, Northern France and parts of the Rhine and Moselle corridors. The company combines a growing owned fleet with a commercial network focused on flexible inland transport operations.
Pelger de Jong of De Jong Shipping said the company viewed cooperation as a more effective growth strategy than adding standalone capacity.
“TransMatch has a strong position in Belgian inland shipping and is deeply rooted in the local network,” he said. “This step allows us to strengthen our inland shipping position and broaden our services.”
Combined fleet strategy targets flexibility
The partnership brings together De Jong Shipping’s push towage activities and TransMatch’s motor vessel operations. The companies said the combination would allow broader deployment of tonnage and more efficient cargo coverage across regional waterways.
For cargo owners, the move could improve vessel availability and operational flexibility in a market where pricing can fluctuate sharply depending on water levels, fleet supply and industrial demand. TransMatch’s growing owned fleet is also expected to support more stable pricing conditions.
The agreement reflects a wider trend in European inland shipping where operators seek scale and regional reach without fully consolidating businesses. Rather than pursuing outright mergers, companies are increasingly relying on strategic participations to secure network access and diversify cargo coverage.
Lazlo Albrecht of TransMatch said both companies shared a similar family business culture focused on short communication lines, flexibility and long term relationships.
“By joining forces, we can accelerate further growth while maintaining our own identity and way of working,” he said.
