De Jong Shipping Group acquires strategic stake in TransMatch
De Jong Shipping Group has acquired a minority stake in TransMatch, strengthening its position in inland shipping and further implementing its growth strategy.
TransMatch is an inland shipping company dealing with the transport of dry bulk cargo including grains, animal feed, fertiliser, coal, cellulose and gravel. With a strong network in the ARA region, Belgium and Northern France, it also specialises in inland waterway transport project cargo.
It has a fleet ranging from 500 to 4,000 tons operating throughout Europe and offers services including chartering, transport management and greening and digitisation.
Lazlo Albrecht of TransMatch said:
“For us, this collaboration feels like a logical next step. Both De Jong Shipping Group and TransMatch are family businesses with a strong anchoring in the inland shipping sector. We share the same vision on entrepreneurship: short lines of communication, flexibility and focus on long-term relationships.
“By joining forces, we can accelerate further growth while at the same time maintaining our own identity and way of working. This collaboration creates additional opportunities for customers, vessel owners and partners in a rapidly evolving market.”
De Jong Shipping Group is active in inland shipping and push barge shipping and focuses on the transport of dry bulk and other cargo flows within Europe. Within this group, services in the field of deep-sea shipping and port agencies are also offered under the name C-Shipping & Logistics. Its fleet includes inland vessels, push barges, and seagoing ships.
The collaboration is aimed at strengthening each other’s market position and expanding the operational area, aligning with the ambition to broaden the inland shipping activities and increase commercial strength in North West Europe.
It also marks the group’s first structural presence in Belgium, a market characterised by a strong local and family-oriented network.
With De Jong Shipping Group’s position in push barge shipping together with TransMatch’s strong foundation in motor vessel shipping and regional market knowledge, this combination increases flexibility in the deployment of tonnage and makes it possible to serve cargo flows more efficiently and broadly.
Pelger de Jong of De Jong Shipping commented:
“We see cooperation as a more effective way to grow than adding capacity in an already competitive market. TransMatch has a strong position in Belgian inland shipping and is deeply embedded in the local network. That combination of entrepreneurship and market knowledge fits well with our own way of working.
“This step enables us to further strengthen our position in inland shipping in a focused way and broaden our services further.”