Image: Frank Bierstedt
In a bid to revolutionize sustainable supply chains on inland waterways, HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG Group have embarked on a collaborative venture. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was recently signed between Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company, HGK Shipping, and two subsidiaries of Salzgitter AG – Salzgitter Flachstahl and DEUMU-Deutsche Erz- und Metall-Union. The agreement, forged on August 10th in Salzgitter, aims to bolster the development and promotion of eco-friendly logistics concepts.
At the core of this partnership lies the commitment to foster low-emission logistics chains and normalize their implementation. A key aspect involves the establishment of paired transport operations, which entails generating return loads to optimize shipping space utilization and eliminate empty runs. Salzgitter Flachstahl specializes in producing flat steel products, while DEUMU focuses on recycling scrap steel and metals. This collaboration provides a strategic avenue to intelligently combine and plan transport operations.
Sandrina Sieverdingbeck, Managing Director of DEUMU, emphasized the importance of this cooperation in Salzgitter AG Group’s circular economy goals. “Inland waterway shipping is one of the most sustainable means of transport,” she stated. Fabian Gerdes, Head of Customer Logistics at SZFG, highlighted the significance of sustainable solutions like inland waterway shipping for the steel industry.
Digitalization is a crucial facet of this partnership, with plans to participate in the “SEAFAR” project for partially autonomous inland waterway shipping operations. This initiative underscores the commitment to innovation, climate protection, and reliable supplies.
As HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG Group embark on this collaborative journey, the memorandum sets the stage for future projects that will redefine sustainable logistics within the maritime industry.
