Contargo manages a network of inland container terminals and carries out container transports between the seaports in the Range Duinkerke-Hamburg and the European Hinterland. It mainly uses inland shipping and track, but also increasingly road transport. In recent years, the company significantly strengthened its presence in Belgium. Thijs van den Heuvel, COO transport network, and Frank van Berwaer, manager of Contargo Road Logistics Belgium, explain this evolution.
Contargo, part of the German Rhenus group, is active in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Switzerland. In total, the company has 24 container terminals, often trimodal hubs, in Germany, Switzerland and northern France. In Belgium, Contargo does not have its own terminal, but has been active in inland shipping for years via Contargo Transbox Belgium. This is mainly used for ‘transshipment’ transports within the port of Antwerp and for transports between Antwerp, Rotterdam, Ghent, Genk and Vlissingen.
Since 2022 it has a fully -fledged road transport department, Contargo Road Logistics (CRL). That year Berry, the container transport company of Frank van Berwaer, was taken over. As a branch manager, he is now responsible for the further development of road transport in Belgium for Contargo. In 2023, transport Clynhens J., a smaller player than Berry, was also taken over.
“Today CRL Belgium has around 55 trucks, which is managed by five servants from our office in Antwerp,” says Van Berwaer. “We mainly drive to and from the Benelux, France, Germany and Switzerland. We transport standard containers but also more and more cooled containers with fruit and vegetables. For this we already have 17 chassis with ‘Gensets’ but that number will grow rapidly to at least 20.”
Inland shipping still dominates
“In Antwerp we also have a fairly large presence in inland shipping and rail transport. Every week we have several sailings with our ships and we use various trains between the harbor and the Hinterland,” adds Thijs van den Heuvel.
In Belgium, the share of inland shipping is 65% at Contargo, that of the track 25% and that of road transport around 5% (from and to the contargo network in Europe). “In addition, CRL Belgium is also active in local transport in Antwerp and in transport directly to national and international customers,” explains Van Berwaer.
When asked why Contargo does not have its own terminals in Belgium, Van den Heuvel replies that the group’s network focuses primarily on the Rhine axis. “If there would be room for its own terminal in Antwerp-or a takeover is possible-that would be considered. Or on the axis between Antwerp and Dourges (France) because this would offer synergies for the rest of the network in Northern France.”
Road transport activity is growing steadily in Belgium, but there are no further plans to do new acquisitions. “We mainly aim for organic growth. The current basis is large enough for that. But suppose there is a demand to expand to certain niches, then we can consider a takeover,” adds Van Berwaer.
More room to negotiate
In this section we are also talking about the mentality differences between the home country of the group and the Belgian branch. “In fact, there is little difference between Germany and Belgium because companies in both countries pay attention to good ties with customers and the handling is a bit more formal. In that respect there is more difference between Belgium and the Netherlands. The Dutch are more direct. This is often also reflected in negotiating prices, where Belgians and Germans are more likely to attach more importance to each other.
According to him, the relationships between companies in Germany and Belgium often last longer than in the Netherlands. “During negotiations, people are a bit more flexible. What does not alter the fact that the greater the volumes are, the more the price gets the upper hand about the good relationship and services,” he says.
“As a Dutchman, I find this way of doing business and attitude in Belgium or Germany more pleasant. If a relationship is loyal and long -term, it is easier to invest in each other. You will not buy new and specifically ‘equipment’ if you know that a contract will only last one or two years,” it sounds.
No electric trucks yet
In Germany, Contargo is rolling out more and more electric trucks, but in Belgium there are no concrete plans this year. “Today 90 of our 270 own trucks in Germany are electric. On our terminals there are also 90 charging points. The electricity is largely produced by the container cranes: every time they lower a container, they produce electricity. As long as we have no own terminal or our own parking, then the public attract, because also in Germany. The Netherlands, “explains Van den Heuvel.
