For more than 25 years, Rhenus Weserport Bremen has stood for expert and professional transhipment of various goods and materials as a member of the Rhenus Group. The port agency has previously focused on transferring cargo from seagoing vessels onto trucks and inland waterway vessels, but for its recently forged partnership with Nabaltec AG, Rhenus Weserport is now substantially extending its existing railway line. The rail loading facility in Germany’s southernmost seaport will ship imported aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide.
Nabaltec AG supplies growing markets worldwide with eco-friendly flame retardant fillers and speciality alumina due to high energy costs and the trend towards de-industrialisation, which is expected in Germany. As a result, the company is looking to expand its ability to purchase aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide, vital for its product portfolio, from smelters in Europe and Brazil and – depending on cost and quality – worldwide.
The materials are shipped to Germany by sea, as German ports offer cost advantages for Nabaltec over Dutch and Belgian ports, and storage of the materials in Bremen ensures a reliable supply.
“The decision to route the aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide through Rhenus Weserport was made because of its existing railway line, which is perfectly suited for a project-based extension. Other crucial factors included the direct link to oceangoing traffic and the existing loading and storage facilities. The materials are shipped by rail from Bremen right to us in Bavaria. We expect to see cost benefits due to the extension of our supplier portfolio, which will allow us to continue offering our products on a competitive basis,” explains Johannes Heckmann, the CEO of Nabaltec AG.
Aluminium hydroxide is a flame retardant and a key component in plastic cables and other metallic conductors. Aluminium oxide is used to produce technical ceramics and the refractory and polishing industries.
Rhenus Weserport has already started shipping goods for Nabaltec. By extending its facilities for the shipment of cargo by rail, the port services provider is positioning itself for the future: “This new area of business is an important development for us. Our first rail loading facility will allow us to unlock new markets and potential relationships,” explains Rudolf Egbert, Managing Director of Rhenus Weserport. “This creates new opportunities for us, particularly when Germany de-industrialises.”
Until the new fully automated rail loading system in Terminal 4 is completed, Nabaltec will temporarily use Terminal 2, in Bremen’s industrial harbour, to ship aluminium hydroxide. The licensing procedure for the alterations to Terminal 4 and the construction process are fully underway. The new system is scheduled to operate at the end of 2024. With the extensions to the terminal and the automated rail loading system, Nabaltec will be able to meet its target of shipping 70,000 to 140,000 tons of aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide per year.
The contractual agreement between Rhenus Weserport and Nabaltec has been concluded for ten years, with an option to extend the contract term.
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