German port and terminal operator Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) acquired a majority share in Roland Spedition, one of the largest owner-led container operators for hinterland transport in Austria.
HHLA will acquire 51% of the shares, while the remaining 49% will remain in the hands of both co-shareholders Christian Gutjahr and Nikolaus Hirnschall, who will continue to manage the business.
Roland Spedition was founded in 1982 as a joint venture by Austrian logistics specialist Heinz Gutjahr and Bremen-based Roland Spedition and has established itself in the market as a neutral and reliable partner for freight forwarders and shipping companies in maritime hinterland transport. With a yearly volume of approximately 130,000 TEUs, the company is one of the largest owner-led container operators for combined hinterland transport in Austria. The network stretches across Central and Southern Europe and connects the ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam and Antwerp as well as Koper and Trieste to the hinterland. The company employs approximately 50 employees at two sites in Austria.
HHLA will incorporate Roland’s service portfolio into its European network of seaport terminals in Hamburg, Tallinn, Trieste and Odessa as well as intermodal hinterland connections and inland terminals.
Both shareholders and managing directors Christian Gutjahr and Nikolaus Hirnschall have led the company since 2005 and will remain on board as co-partners and managing directors.
Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA, commented, “Managing directors Christian Gutjahr and Nikolaus Hirnschall have developed Roland into a ‘best-in-class’ service provider for intermodal, climate-friendly transport as well as a reliable partner for its international customers and the Port of Hamburg. Roland is thus an extraordinary addition to our existing service portfolio in the European intermodal market and decisively strengthens the connection between the Port of Hamburg and the important Austrian market. We intend to continue this success story together.”
The closing of the transaction is still contingent upon conditions precedent, in particular permissions pertaining to competition law.
