Duisburg-based “startport” wins international logistics company
Yusen Logistics becomes a new startport partner
Duisburg, 17 April 2023 – Yusen Logistics has joined the partner network of duisport subsidiary startport.
The global logistics company Yusen Logistics strengthens the startport network in an international context, with a strong presence in the Japanese market as well as close ties to the Rhine-Ruhr region. Through this cooperation, the new partner supports the innovation platform for logistics and supply chain and, as part of the network partnership, seeks exchange with innovative solutions from the startups in the startport network.
Extensive international reach for innovation platform startport
Founded in 1955, Yusen Logistics is a global supply chain logistics company offering sea and air freight transport, warehousing, distribution services, and supply chain management. The logistics partner has a network connecting Japan, North and South America, Europe, East Asia, as well as South Asia and Oceania, and operates more than 631 locations in 47 countries and regions.
Dr. Stefan Karenfort, Managing Director and Finance Director at Yusen Logistics Germany, is pleased about the collaboration: “Entrepreneurship fascinates me, and my enthusiasm for innovative ideas and startups makes me confident as we embark on the collaboration with startport. My motivation: to raise awareness within the group of the need for innovation while at the same time tackling various projects in the areas of e-commerce fulfillment and warehouse automation and further developing myself and my team in this regard. We can make optimal use of startport’s event formats and workshops for that.”
With around 61,000 square meters, Duisburg is Yusen Logistics’ largest warehouse location in Germany. The partnership between Yusen Logistics and startport therefore creates a local link to the Port of Duisburg, while at the same time expanding international reach in the logistics and industrial market. “With Yusen Logistics, we are bringing long-standing logistics expertise of more than 65 years as well as local and international know-how into our logistics network. Here, our startups benefit just as much as our partner companies from networking at our events. Now is the perfect time to start the partnership, as our innovation fair FUTURE Logistics will kick things off on 4 May at the Inland Shipping Museum in Duisburg. I am also looking forward to welcoming, among others, representatives of Yusen Logistics there and bringing the innovation solutions and trends of the future closer,” says Johannes Franke, Managing Director of startport, about the new partnership.
Innovative pilot projects between partners and startups
As a subsidiary of Duisburger Hafen AG, startport has built a strong partner network over its five years of existence. This includes, among others, regional players such as Bohnen Logistik, Duisburg Intermodal Terminal, and Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg. Among other things, these are connected with specific startups in so-called Innovation Challenges, enabling them to successfully launch pilot projects. Through this new format from startport, tailored innovations are assigned to companies’ specific questions, driving innovation at the Duisburg location. In addition, by supporting the incubator program, the partners promote entrepreneurship in the field of logistics and supply chain in Duisburg.