To stimulate logistic networking in the Rhine-Ruhr region, Duisburger Hafen AG, Stadtwerke Essen AG and Gelsen-Log (Gelsenkirchener Logistik-, Hafen- und Servicegesellschaft mbH) have signed a contract in which the three ports agreed to cooperate with each other. In tune with the perspectives discussed at the ContractFuture Ruhr 2030 Conference organized by Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet in late 2007 the ports have made another major contribution to structural change in the Ruhr by strengthening logistics. The new partnership is open to further ports in the region.
The cities of Duisburg, Essen und Gelsenkirchen have for some time worked together in a number of fields. Today’s contract intensifies the joint approach to developing common waterway and rail strategies mainly to reduce environmental risks. The ports also plan to develop joint zoning and marketing concepts and to facilitate access to each other resources.
Logistics is a booming industry in Germany. The sector employs 2.6 million people and reports annual revenues of 180 billion Euros. It comes third in a ranking of Germany’s industries. The Ruhr metropolitan area is particularly strong. Growth in recent years has had a sustained impact on industrial structures in the - 2- region. The area has become a logistics excellence cluster with Duisburg as a hub. duisport operates for example together with its associates a container terminal at the Marl Chemical Park and runs a container train between Duisburg and Unna through its duisport rail subsidiary. The entire cargo volume had previously been trucked across the Ruhr region. The train has substantially reduced CO2 emissions in one of the most densely populated regions in Europe. Similar effects are to be achieved through joint projects of the ports of Duisburg, Essen and Gelsenkirchen.