An interview with Mario Althof from Deltaport Niederrheinhäfen GmbH. The focus topics are innovation projects that promote combined transport and hydrogen applications in logistics.
Alessandro Benassi and Jessica Friedrich zu Beusch with Mario Althoff and Deltaport Niederrheinhäfen GmbH in Wesel
Interview with Mario Althof, Deltaport Niederrheinhäfen GmbH
Wesel, 07.05.2025 — Mario Althof Is 2022 as part of his master's thesis on DeltaPort Niederrheinhäfen GmbH came and works in the area of controlling and project management. He also advises management on research and transformation projects. With the EcoPort813 — Förderverein für Hydrogen und nachhaltige Energie e.V., the company is currently in intensive exchange with the innovation platform starport GmbH — a subsidiary of Duisburger Hafen AG.
Could you briefly explain DeltaPort's mission and core activities?
“I'd love to. DeltaPort is a public port operator and, in his role, a landlord who develops, markets and manages the port areas and railway operations of Rhine-Lippe Harbour, Wesel City Port and Emmelsum Port. In addition, we participate in various projects that focus on digitalization, mobility and sustainability - with projects for automation, the transfer of goods flows to rail and water, and CO2 neutrality by expanding our ports into a hydrogen hub. ”
How are the requirements of your tenants for logistics space and real estate changing?
“Logistics requirements have fundamentally changed as a result of climate goals and events such as the blockage in the Suez Canal, the corona pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. Sustainable logistics chains must offer flexible solutions to global challenges, they must become more resilient, and at the same time more sustainable.
Modern infrastructure, development areas and an innovative environment are crucial for this. Thanks to congestion-free locations and low water access, our trimodal sites on the Rhine and Wesel-Datteln Canal offer a competitive advantage for building such multimodal and resilient supply chains.
In addition, we offer tenants long-term prospects, such as planning security through long-term contracts, collaborations and development opportunities in digitization and automation, as well as access to sustainable research projects. Because in addition to technical aspects, such “soft skills” in particular are gaining in importance. ”
Which projects have you recently implemented that have been particularly successful?
“Our projects are pursuing a future-oriented transformation process, the success of which will be evident in the coming years. However, I would like to highlight two projects where we see enormous potential.
We are particularly proud of the founding of the EcoPort813 association. The association promotes the cross-border development of a hydrogen infrastructure by bringing together relevant actors and creating synergies. In addition to municipal support and cross-industry cooperation, we have a strong consortium with the seaports of Rotterdam and North Sea Port as well as the inland ports of Duisburg and Dortmund to implement a hydrogen value chain.
The second project I would like to highlight is the LOG4NRW project. This is an alliance between DeltaPort and the ports of duisport, Dortmund and the Siegen-Wittgenstein district railway. The aim is to make freight transport in NRW more sustainable by shifting more traffic to rail and waterways and using trucks only for the last mile. This is achieved using a container circular system that grows dynamically with additional locations.
What are the next milestones in the LOG4NRW project?
“We are currently in the first of five phases.
This first phase aims to connect all sites via a train system, which in the second phase will be supplemented by transport by inland waterway.
After completing these phases, the network will be expanded to include additional locations. As soon as the system is successfully established, it will be opened to supply urban areas with small pieces of goods in the B2C sector. This is intended to reactivate disused mining terminals as microdepots.
In the last stage of development, the logistics network is used to distribute hydrogen via containerized compressed gas containers.
We are thus already creating the structures for an optimal distribution network in NRW that can connect directly to the hydrogen value chain. ”
How does LOG4NRW contribute to the sustainability of general cargo logistics in NRW?
“In the LOG4NRW project, we are using free capacity on the Rhine as well as the extensive sewer network and the close-meshed rail infrastructure. We are thus reducing road congestion, increasing truck drivers' operational efficiency and also contributing to the decarbonization of freight transport by using the more sustainable modes of inland waterway and rail transport.
In addition, we create resilience and thus economic added value. With this network, we have created a connection between the ports in the Ruhr area and the northern ports and a connection between Siegerland and western ports. This allows flexible redirection of goods flows even in the event of failures at individual ports and modes of transport. ”
What is your vision for the future of general cargo logistics in NRW?
“General cargo logistics will undergo a sustainable transformation. With the transport turnaround and climate goals, the main route of roadside freight transport will have to be replaced by alternative modes of transport, and road congestion must also be reduced.
The aim must be to only use the truck for the last mile or completely replace it with more sustainable alternatives. In addition, the individual supply chains will be digitally connected with each other in the future, which promotes the development of synchromodal transport chains. ”
How do you see the role of startups and innovations in logistics?
“Startups play an important role for the entire economy. Digitalization and automation play a central role. In particular, the integration of KL systems into logistics networks will continue to increase. For example, to optimize routes and inventories, but also in the area of risk management in order to be able to identify and react to system faults at an early stage. I still see considerable development needs and potential for startups here. ”
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our community?
“We are undergoing a transformation process that poses major challenges for the entire logistics industry. We must free ourselves from egoism and isolated solutions and position ourselves more broadly. Issues such as the energy and transport revolution can only be successfully implemented if we are open to cooperation and transparency along the supply chain. We have the skills it requires, let's make something out of them. ”
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Brief profile: DeltaPort Niederrheinhäfen GmbH at a glance
The transport of almost all types of goods, such as bulk goods, general cargo, heavy cargo, liquid cargo and containerized goods, can be carried out via the port locations of DeltaPort Niederrheinhäfen GmbH (Orsoy — Voerde — Wesel — Emmerich).
https://deltaport-niederrheinhaefen.de
Click here for the video interview:
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