2023 was a satisfactory year for Rhenus Alpina AG. Despite low margins in the freight sector, weaker GDP growth and the uncertain geopolitical situation, the company generated CHF 434 million last year. Compared with the record year 2022, results are at a normalised level.
“I am pleased that we can look back on an acceptable result despite numerous challenges in the market. This is primarily due to our committed employees,” says Andreas Stöckli, CEO of Rhenus Alpina.
Even if the economic outlook for 2024 can be interpreted in different ways, Rhenus Alpina is looking to the future optimistically. Firstly, the various construction projects in Switzerland are proceeding apace. Secondly, the company is planning to further expand its range of services and to adapt them to the requirements of the changing market environment.
The Rhenus Alpina Group currently employees 1,525 people in Switzerland in various business areas. Every day, they deploy considerable energy and creative solutions in an endeavour to meet customers’ needs.
Rhenus Logistics
Rhenus Logistics was able to increase its productivity in order processing even further thanks to investments. The focus here was on development of the operational software landscape and the commissioning of Switzerland's first autonomous mobile robot (AMR) system in Basel.
The disrupted supply chains between Asia and Europe continued to recover in 2023 but came under pressure towards the end of the year when many shipping companies avoided using the Suez Canal.
Domestic consumption in Switzerland is stable. Customer activity at the global level is also positive. In order to hold its own in a challenging market environment in future and increase productivity even further, Rhenus Logistics intends to continue investing in software and process solutions. The systematic installation of photovoltaic systems on its own roofs e.g. in Basel, Spreitenbach and Schaffhausen, is at the heart of the company’s sustainability efforts. A new logistics centre will be commissioned in January 2025 in Möhlin (Canton Aargau) and will offer modern infrastructure in line with the most stringent sustainability standards. The building will function entirely without fossil fuels. The energy requirements for the more than 12,000 pallet spaces and 29,000 containers in the picking machine will be covered by a photovoltaic system. Low-maintenance, low-emission air heat pumps are used for cooling and heating.
Cargologic
In 2023, freight handling decreased owing to the prevalent weak economic situation, the war in Ukraine and a general decline in freight volumes. The forwarding company generated stable freight handling figures and results but below those of the previous year. Ethiopian Airlines was a new customer acquired in the first quarter.
Overall, Cargologic is seeing a trend in business that is currently stable. “We are looking ahead optimistically to the future, as we are well positioned in many areas and the forecasts for freight volumes are recovering in 2024,” says Andreas Stöckli, CEO of Rhenus Alpina.
Rhenus Port Logistics
Rhenus Port Logistics can look back on a positive year in 2023. In the summer of 2024, Rhenus Port Logistics will commission the new tri-modal transshipment terminal 4 at the Port of Switzerland in Kleinhüningen which will facilitate efficient, climate-friendly transshipment of goods. The photovoltaic system installed on the terminal roof generates around 2.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. “This corresponds to the entire annual electricity requirement of Rhenus Port Logistics,” Andreas Stöckli, CEO of Rhenus Alpina, is pleased to confirm.
Rhenus Port Logistics aims to continue investing in the development of the port and in further sustainability projects.
Contargo
Contargo continued to record a stable trend in business in 2023. Profitability was also stable despite a general slowdown in the market and as a result of unexpected high water levels in November and December.
In September 2023 Contargo launched two additional rail departures between Basel and Rotterdam. The two trains are handled directly at Contargo in Basel's Rhine ports. In the future, there are plans for the terminal system to offer optimal alternative rail options in the event of high or low water.
In 2024, Contargo – together with the partners involved – plans to make barge production, one of the business area’s core products, more attractive again. The continued positive development of Contargo’s business will require the timely start of new construction measures at the terminal in late summer 2024 and the consistent implementation of digitalization measures to increase efficiency.
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