In our exciting collaboration with our partner duisport- Duisburger Hafen AG, we have received the opportunity to learn more about their establishment and its nuances. In the previous article, we covered the history of the port, its major features, its association with the China-EU rail and its growing abilities. In this article, the second in the series, we look at the range of services installed at duisport, its scopes and features that truly set them apart within the industry.
The duisport Group offers full-service packages in the area of infra- and suprastructure, including relocation management. Apart from regulated port duties, duisport also undertakes the task of a logistics service provider, making It a one-stop-shop for all logistics needs. In addition, the subsidiaries also provide logistics services, such as the development and optimization of transport and logistics chains, rail freight services, project and automotive logistics, container stowage, consulting, building management, packaging and contract logistics.
These are not just services but an evident indicator of the port’s competencies and abilities.
Pic Credit: duisport
Intermodal Transport
The Port of Duisburg plays a central role in international rail transport; it is the leading rail transport hub in Europe, acting as a gateway to the large seaports. Every year, duisport connects 30 national and international railway service providers and operators with 25,000 trains that depart to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe, such as Antwerp, and to transcontinental destinations, such as Chongqing, China.
duisport and its partners provide intermodal transport concepts in combined transportation to almost all European countries with connections to critical industrial centres. These intermodal transportation chains are not only cost-effective but also dependable, offering pre and onward carriage. A significant section of the distance is covered either by train or ship. The pre and onward carriage is done by trucks while these transport legs are kept as short as possible. This helps not just relieving the traffic on the road but also reducing the carbon footprint.
duisport offers various shuttle trains in the region for example to Marl-Chemical Park, Marl-Metro warehouse and Bönen. The port is directly connected to the large North Sea ports over the Rhine, with over 20,000 inland waterways vessels and 2,000 shallow draft maritime vessels. These competencies qualify duisport as a leading inland container hub, handling more than 4.2 million TEUs per annum. Through multimodal transport, duisport can offer tailor-made solutions to their customers.
Breakbulk and Project Logistics
With eight container terminals, Duisburg Hafen provides optimised solutions for conventional, non-containerised cargo such as paper, steel, and general cargo. Many project forwarders working from duisport offer safe handling of cargo. Apart from general cargo, the port historically represents a significant point for various kinds of bulk cargo, such as mineral oils, chemical products, scrap metal and coal. Historically, duisport is one of the most crucial hubs for coal in Germany, handing up to ten million tons per year that arrives from Australia, China, Poland, South Africa.
Another exceptional facility is the duisport packing logistics GmbH (dpl) in Duisburg, built on a 48,000m2 site, with a multi-purpose hall that can store all types of goods. There is also a packaging building with a heavy goods overhead crane, which allows the packing of complex industrial parts. duisport also has a Heavy Lift Terminal for handling heavy general cargo or high-quality equipment. With these many strong services, the Port of Duisburg has become an essential hub for heavy goods.
Container Stowage
Complete solutions for container stowage are provided at duisport, from the stuffing, storage, stripping, order picking, export and distribution. All these tasks are performed in house, making it a single source for a customer’s needs. The locations at Duisburg-Ruhrort and Rheinhausen support direct connections to container terminals DUSS, DeCeTe, D3T and DIT. These operations are further optimised through IT support.
Apart from an extensive area for external warehousing, there is also a transhipment building for rail connections and a storage building for cargo that needs to be handled by forklifts. These storage spaces are equipped with forklifts, container forklifts, 40t crane, 32t chance and other special equipment like cross braces, hooks. duisport has also developed their drying agent system ‘duisbox’ to prevent climate damage and protect goods by avoiding moisture and condensations. These innovative and extensive solutions create a secure environment for the cargo.
Transcontinental Rail
Duisburg has many scheduled connections to several terminals in China, developing as a cost-efficient and reliable solution to transport your goods over the continents. The travel time between Duisburg and central terminals in China is between 12-16 days, and about 60 trains arrive at duisport every week. Rail is faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight making it a competitive mode of transport.
The transport along the New Silk Road has transformed itself as a reliable option to move cargo between Europe and Asia. Along with a range of services offered by duisport, the movement of rail freight over the New Silk Road has been demystified, simplified, and secured by duisport.
Automotive and Chemical Logistics
The automotive industry in Germany is one of the strongest and most complex industry networks, with a range of suppliers, producers, and consumers. However, duisport has emerged as an exceptional player in optimising and synchronising automotive supply chains. Their geographical location also allows customers to benefit from various facilities to utilise. In 2014, duisport loaded trains with assembled cars to transport them to China. Audi, Volkswagen, and Daimler also set up operations in and around their premises.
Chemical logistics is generally regulated with strict conduct and procedural compliance. Safety in handling these products requires specific infrastructure in terms of space, temperature, and security. Duisport offers expertise to companies in the chemical industry overcoming their logistical challenges. Chemical companies such as Evonik, Lanxess, Bayer and Rain Carbon have utilised tailor-made solutions from pre-loading, pre-carriage, and shunting services.
Port Facility Management and Logistics Area Development
Along with the logistics services, a full-fledged port, there are many responsibilities and duties to ensure the smooth functioning of daily processes. Inspection, repairs, maintenance, and salvage work is conducted at the dock. Port related construction and expansion of facilities such as railway is also central to their activities. Testing or equipment and hazard prevention are also key to the smooth functioning of the port.
Management of cranes is also necessary and conducted by the port itself. Operating capabilities of cranes and bridges cranes are checked, service and maintenance accordingly. At the same time, new technology is also installed as and when needed. Duisport also undertakes the supervision of forklifts and stackers.
As a port and a logistics service provider, duisport has developed itself as a key player in the global logistics industry and has become a gateway hub to Europe. Accounting for a multifarious operation, it is always interesting to witness duisport’s advanced approach to the growth of the supply chain industry. As a force majeure in Germany, duisport has effortlessly balanced its diverse competencies.
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