RheinCargo
RheinCargo is a German port and rail logistics joint venture between HGK and NDH operating seven Rhine ports, a fleet of 90+ locomotives, and trimodal (rail, waterway, road) freight services for industrial clients in steel, chemicals, energy, and construction sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersNeuss, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RheinCargo does
RheinCargo GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German port and rail logistics joint venture founded in 2012 by Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) and Neuss Düsseldorfer Häfen (NDH), each holding 50%. The company operates one of Europe's largest inland port networks, comprising seven Rhine locations (Cologne-Godorf, Cologne-Niehl I, Cologne-Niehl II, Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Düsseldorf-Reisholz) covering 358 hectares with 48 crane systems. Its core proposition is trimodal logistics, integrating inland waterway, rail, and road transport under a single operator with a fleet of over 90 locomotives (largely electrified TRAXX and BR 185 series with ETCS) and 700+ freight wagons, handling over 50 million tonnes of goods annually.
RheinCargo's service portfolio spans port handling (Hafenlogistik), rail freight transport (Schienenlogistik), industrial factory rail traffic (Werksverkehr), port real estate (Immobilien), and the RheinCargo Akademie training center with interactive driving simulators. Customers are predominantly heavy industrial enterprises in chemicals, steel/metals, energy (including coal transport to STEAG and RWE power plants), and construction materials, served through direct enterprise sales with custom multimodal logistics solutions. The company operates under ISO 9001, BS OHSAS 18001, and European railway safety certifications, and extends cross-border to Switzerland and connections to Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Amsterdam seaports.
The business model is transaction-fee based, with pricing per transport volume, distance, and mode combination under multi-year contracts, supplemented by professional services for integrated supply chain solutions and licensing/royalties from port real estate. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting operations and logistics decision-makers in industrial sectors, complemented by event marketing (transport logistic Munich, Hafentag), content marketing via the corporate website and blog, and organic social channels. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the firm is governed as a GmbH & Co. KG with headquarters in Neuss and ~1,200 employees across regional offices, port operations, and a training academy in Brühl.
RheinCargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RheinCargo
- Legal name
- RheinCargo GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://rheincargo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- RheinCargo is a German port and rail logistics joint venture between HGK and NDH operating seven Rhine ports, a fleet of 90+ locomotives, and trimodal (rail, waterway, road) freight services for industrial clients in steel, chemicals, energy, and construction sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RheinCargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Multimodal Logistics Services (Port & Rail)
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Inland Water Freight Transportation (483211)
- SIC
- Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013), Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intermodal Terminal Value-Added Services (Cross-Dock, Transload, Stuffing/Stripping) (TLAJAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- International Intermodal Ocean-Rail (Port Rail Drayage) (TLADAFAB), Sea–Rail Landbridge Forwarding (TLACAEAF), Cross-Border Freight Brokerage (USMCA/EU, etc.) (TLADAMAN)
Keywords
Where RheinCargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Neuss
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
RheinCargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hafenlogistik (Port Operations): Handling of goods at seven port locations along the Rhine (Köln Godorf, Köln Niehl I, Köln Niehl II, Neuss, Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf-Reisholz). Services include crane operations, cargo handling, storage, and transloading between transport modes.
- Schienengüterverkehr (Rail Freight): Rail transport services using own locomotive fleet (over 90 locomotives) and wagons (700+), serving long-distance and regional freight movements, including dangerous goods, bulk goods, and container traffic.
- Multimodale Transportlösungen (Multimodal Transport Solutions): Integrated logistics packages combining rail, road, and waterway transport, including consulting, planning, and execution of complete supply chain solutions for industrial customers.
- Immobilien (Real Estate): Rental of port and logistics real estate including warehouses, storage areas, and industrial facilities at port locations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Logistics services priced based on transport volume, distance, and mode combination |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
RheinCargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RheinCargo operates one of Europe's largest inland port networks combined with a private rail freight business, delivering trimodal logistics (rail, inland waterway, road) for industrial customers. Core services include port handling and crane operations at seven Rhine locations, rail freight transport using a fleet of over 90 locomotives and 700+ wagons, and integrated multimodal transport solutions connecting customers to European seaports. The company also rents port and logistics real estate and runs a railway training academy.
Product overview
RheinCargo operates as a trimodal logistics provider offering integrated port logistics, rail freight services, and real estate management as its core product lines. The company combines waterway (inland shipping), rail, and road transport under one roof, making it one of Europe's largest inland port operators and Germany's largest private rail freight company. Key products include Hafenlogistik (port terminal operations across seven Rhine locations), Schienenlogistik (rail freight with over 90 locomotives), Werksverkehr (industrial factory rail connections), Immobilien (port real estate), and RheinCargo Akademie (railway training with driving simulators). The offerings are unified through the company's trimodal approach, connecting customers to international supply chains via Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hafenlogistik (Port Logistics) Port and harbor logistics services including cargo handling, crane operations, and terminal management at seven locations along the Rhine (Köln-Godorf, Köln-Niehl I, Köln-Niehl II, Neuss, Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf-Reisholz). Handles mass goods, containers, project cargo, and hazardous materials for industrial customers.
- Schienenlogistik (Rail Logistics) Rail freight transportation services using a fleet of over 90 largely electrified locomotives (Bombardier TRAXX AC3, BR 185) and approximately 700 freight wagons, operating regional and long-distance freight rail connections across Germany and internationally, including hazmat, bulk goods, and containers.
- Immobilien (Real Estate) Real estate management and property leasing services at port locations, offering commercial and industrial space for lease at port terminals along the Rhine.
- RheinCargo Akademie (Training Academy) Railway training and professional development services including interactive driving simulators at Brühl and Neuss, qualification programs for railway operations under EBO and BOA standards, and locomotive driver certification.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 80% less CO2 emissions per tonne-kilometre vs. truck transport
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RheinCargo
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RheinCargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
RheinCargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- thyssenkrupp SteelmajorLong-term partnership for lime transport from SCHAEFER KALK in Kerkerbach to thyssenkrupp Steel plant in Duisburg-Nord. RheinCargo's rail transport company handles the logistics.
- HGK (Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG)core50% shareholder and parent company of RheinCargo. Contributed port operations and rail freight business to the joint venture. HGK operates port infrastructure in Cologne and maintains rail network connections.
- NDH (Neuss Düsseldorfer Häfen GmbH & Co. KG)core50% shareholder and parent company of RheinCargo. Contributed port operations and rail freight assets to the joint venture. NDH operates ports in Neuss and Düsseldorf.
- HTAG Häfen und Transport AGmajorSubsidiary of HGK, one of Germany's leading inland shipping companies. Handles ship transport, transloading and storage in Duisburg for coal transport operations.
- STEAGmajorEnergy company for whom RheinCargo transports coal to six power plants (6.5 million tonnes total contract). Partnership with NIAG for combined rail-waterway transport.
- NIAG (Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe AG)majorRailway company coordinating coal transport from Duisburg/Moers to STEAG power plants. RheinCargo cooperates with NIAG for combined logistics operations.
- RWE Power AGmajorEnergy company customer. RheinCargo transports coal from Duisburg to RWE power plant Voerde (27,000 tonnes/month).
- Rhenus PartnershipminorInland shipping partner handling approximately 4.6 million tonnes of coal transport via Rhine waterway for STEAG supply chain.
- Rheinland Cargo Schweiz / MEVminorPartnership for Switzerland traffic. HGK subsidiary Rheinland Cargo Schweiz and service provider MEV support RhineCargo operations to Switzerland (Zizers).
- SCHAEFER KALKmajorLime producer supplying thyssenkrupp Steel. RheinCargo handles rail transport of lime from Kerkerbach to thyssenkrupp Steel in Duisburg-Nord.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RheinCargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Imperial Logistics (DSV): Pan-European logistics provider (acquired by DSV in 2023) with road, rail and intermodal capabilities serving industrial shippers. Overlaps with RheinCargo in European multimodal distribution for chemicals, steel and consumer goods.
- SBB Cargo AG: Swiss Federal Railways' freight division, the former employer of RheinCargo's railway Geschäftsführer. Competes with RheinCargo for cross-border Alpine and German rail freight, including single-wagonload and intermodal services.
- HGK (Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG): One of RheinCargo's two 50/50 parent companies and itself a major Cologne port and rail freight operator. While structurally related, HGK retains adjacent port and shipping operations that compete for similar Rhineland customers outside the RheinCargo perimeter.
- DB Cargo (Deutsche Bahn): Germany's and Europe's largest rail freight operator, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. Overlaps with RheinCargo on single-wagonload, block-train and intermodal services across the same German industrial customer base, but operates nationally and across all verticals.
Direct peers
- Hupac Intermodal SA: Swiss-based intermodal operator running trans-Alpine and north-south rail services between Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Benelux. Comparable to RheinCargo's cross-border intermodal ambitions and shares the Switzerland lane where RheinCargo operates via Rheinland Cargo Schweiz.
- Contargo GmbH & Co. KG: Inland waterway container logistics specialist operating terminals along the Rhine and connecting to North Sea ports. Comparable to RheinCargo's container and intermodal waterway business with overlapping customer base of shippers and forwarders.
- Duisport (Duisburger Hafen AG): Largest inland port in Europe, located at the confluence of Rhine and Ruhr. Directly comparable as a Rhine-based multimodal port and logistics operator with similar cargo mix (coal, steel, containers) and own rail/water infrastructure.
- Rhenus Logistics: German-headquartered inland shipping and multimodal logistics provider active on the Rhine, including a coal-transport partnership with RheinCargo. Comparable as a competitor and partner in Rhine inland waterway bulk and container logistics.
- NIAG (Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe AG): Lower Rhine rail and inland shipping operator that cooperates with RheinCargo on STEAG coal transport. Directly comparable regional peer with overlapping rail and waterway services for industrial customers in the same geography.
- Kombiverkehr KG: German intermodal operator coordinating combined road-rail freight across Europe. Comparable to RheinCargo's intermodal rail-road offering, targeting similar industrial shippers seeking to shift long-haul volumes from truck to rail.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RheinCargo social profiles
Digital presenceRheinCargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RheinCargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
RheinCargo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
RheinCargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RheinCargo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RheinCargo
What does RheinCargo do?
RheinCargo operates one of Europe's largest inland port networks combined with a private rail freight business, delivering trimodal logistics (rail, inland waterway, road) for industrial customers. Core services include port handling and crane operations at seven Rhine locations, rail freight transport using a fleet of over 90 locomotives and 700+ wagons, and integrated multimodal transport solutions connecting customers to European seaports. The company also rents port and logistics real estate and runs a railway training academy.
Is RheinCargo a public or private company?
RheinCargo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was RheinCargo founded?
RheinCargo was founded in 2012. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is RheinCargo based?
RheinCargo is headquartered in Neuss, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does RheinCargo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hafenlogistik (Port Operations) is the primary driver. The others are schienengüterverkehr (Rail Freight), multimodale Transportlösungen (Multimodal Transport Solutions) and immobilien (Real Estate).
Who are RheinCargo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Imperial Logistics (DSV), SBB Cargo AG, HGK (Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG) and DB Cargo (Deutsche Bahn). Direct peers are Hupac Intermodal SA, Contargo GmbH & Co. KG, Duisport (Duisburger Hafen AG), Rhenus Logistics, NIAG (Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe AG) and Kombiverkehr KG.
Does RheinCargo have an API?
No public API is recorded for RheinCargo.
What industry is RheinCargo in?
RheinCargo's product category is Multimodal Logistics Services (Port & Rail). Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAJAFAL, Intermodal Terminal Value-Added Services (Cross-Dock, Transload, Stuffing/Stripping), with a secondary code of TLADAFAB, International Intermodal Ocean-Rail (Port Rail Drayage). Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4013.