Rhenus has merged three German inland shipping companies into a single business, Rhenus PartnerShip Germany GmbH & Co. KG. The restructuring also includes the addition of vessels to strengthen its inland transport network.
The merger brings together Rhenus PartnerShip GmbH & Co. KG, Rhenus PartnerShip Berlin GmbH and Rhenus PartnerShip HANSE GmbH.
The new company takes over all existing customer and partner contracts. The merger takes effect retroactively from 1 January 2026.
Through the consolidation, Rhenus aims to simplify operations, share resources and improve coordination across its German inland shipping business.
Rhenus expands inland shipping fleet
Alongside the merger, Rhenus is strengthening its fleet with canal-compatible vessels approved to operate on the Rhine.
The motor cargo vessel BIVIO will be renamed RHENUS SZCZECIN. It has a carrying capacity of more than 1,300 tonnes.
The vessel currently operates on the Rhine between the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) ports and Germany’s Ruhr region.
It can transport general cargo, construction components and cargo that meets Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
Meanwhile, the motor cargo vessel ANTARO and its accompanying pusher barge ANTARO 1 will operate under the names RHENUS HILDESHEIM and RHENUS HILDESHEIM 1.
The coupled convoy has a combined carrying capacity of more than 2,300 tonnes.
Of this total, RHENUS HILDESHEIM can carry 1,300 tonnes, while RHENUS HILDESHEIM 1 provides capacity for just over 1,000 tonnes.
Both vessels are approved for GMP transport and will operate in northern Germany’s canal network.
Merger aims to improve operational efficiency
The consolidation will allow Rhenus to combine regional expertise, fleet resources and infrastructure under one organization.
The company also expects the new structure to support its project logistics activities and improve its response to changing transport requirements.
“Rhenus PartnerShip Germany combines strong regional expertise with an inland shipping fleet operating throughout Europe. This enables us to offer our customers comprehensive solutions for transport requirements in the field of project logistics,” said Mark Albrecht, Managing Director of Rhenus PartnerShip Germany.
The restructuring strengthens Rhenus’ inland shipping operations across Germany, including connections between major seaports, inland waterways and industrial regions.
It also brings the company’s existing services and fleet resources under a unified management structure.
