A look back: From the beginnings to successful terminal operation

Anker Schiffahrt was founded in Bremen in 1956 and began handling its first automobile handling for Volkswagen in 1960 at a new terminal in Bremen’s industrial port. In 1964, the decision was made to establish a presence in Emden, where a new Volkswagen plant had recently opened. The first vessel, the M/S Jarabella, departed from the port in March 1965, carrying 1,350 VW-Käfer on board bound for the United States.

Growth by innovation and diversification

Over the years, timber handling for local sawmills such as Löschen, van Calcar and Cassens was added, and we gradually developed our second important pillar in forest product logistics. In 1983, we started with the first import of pulp by coaster from Finland. A real milestone was the decision in 1993 to relocate the entire Finnish transport of wood pulp, paper rolls and timber plywood to Emden.

Due to the positive development, Anker Schiffahrt continuously expanded its storage and handling capacities. The warehouse space grew from an initial warehouse of 6,000 square meters to around 30,000 square meters and three warehouses today.

Partnerships for success - with Volkswagen, UPM, Meyer Werft and other partners

The close cooperation with Volkswagen was and is a key component of our success. In 1987, together with Volkswagen Logistics,EVAG and Gerd Buss, we founded Autoport Emden GmbH, which has since developed into one of the largest automobile handling ports in Europe. Since its foundation, well over 20 million vehicles have been exported and imported at Emden Port. In addition, there is a close and great cooperation with the company PWL Peter W. Lampke in Bremen, as a booking agent for Volkswagen Group logistics. Anker Schiffahrt receives private vehicles and the high & heavy area, here construction machinery, harvesters etc. and its employees take care of the transfer to the RoRo ramps of the car carriers respectively into the ship.

We have been working for our customer UPM since 1983 and very regularly handle wood pulp imports from Brazil for other large wood pulp producers, here for UPM Nordland Papie in Dörpen. The incoming wood pulp is either transported directly by barge to the mill in Dörpen or stored in our warehouses and then delivered to the production facility in Dörpen just in time by barge. Further quantities of wood pulp are distributed globally for our customers by truck, rail or container from our Emskai Logistics Center.

Our long-standing, trusting cooperation with Meyer Werft Papenburg also stands as an example of our customer relationships. Many cruise ships, ferries, research vessels, container ships, etc. have been equipped in the port of Emden, primarily in cooperation with our partner OMYA GmbH. These partnerships enable us to cover a broad range of services that nowadays goes far beyond pure automobile handling.

The close and trusting collaboration with the port operator Niedersachsenports, the water and shipping administration, the city of Emden, other institutions and further Emden port companies should be emphasized.

Investing in the future and expanding capacities

Anker Schiffahrt continuously invests in the modernization and expansion of its capacities in order to meet the high-quality standards of our customers. In 2021, the truck loading area built in 2011 was doubled in size and a modern handling building was constructed.

In May 2023, we inaugurated a new office building in Emden, which covers 1,050 square meters over three floors and provides space for industrial employees and commercial staff. This was followed by the new construction of the “old” office building from the 1960s, which was built on the existing foundation and completed in May 2024. It has a total usable area of 520 square meters, of which 260 square meters serve as an expansion reserve for future use.

A strong company with regional roots and global integration

Anker Schiffahrt, a subsidiary of the Leschaco Group, has established itself as a leading logistics service provider in the region and an important part of the global logistics group. Anker Schiffahrt is and remains deeply rooted in the East Frisian region and maintains strong ties with its partners and customers, which further strengthens Emden as an important logistics hub.

Our 60th anniversary is a special occasion for us to thank our customers, our partners and our dedicated employees. Their many years of loyalty and trusting cooperation are the basis of our success and will continue to guide us in the future. 

Here's to the next 60 years of success and innovation at Anker Schiffahrt!