Thomas Schlipköther

Chief Executive Officer, RELA AG

Prof. Dr. Thomas Schlipköther has left a significant mark on the international construction and logistics industry over the past 22 years, particularly through his many years of service at Duisburger Hafen AG , the world’s largest inland port. After 22 years in various management positions in the construction industry, where he managed projects in Kuwait and Oman , among others, he joined Duisburger Hafen AG as COO and CTO in 2001. In this role, he was responsible for all technical and operational processes at the port and also served as Head of Port Authority and Head of the Seamen’s Office —a dual role unique in the port industry.

During his tenure, Thomas Schlipköther played a key role in expanding the Port of Duisburg from a local inland port into a central logistics center connecting the land and water transport of Europe and Asia. Under his leadership, the port’s capacity increased from 250,000 TEU in 2000 to over 4.1 million TEU, and approximately 110 million tons of freight and over 25,000 trains are handled annually. The Port of Duisburg thus grew into an internationally networked hub for freight transport with strategic importance in China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.

During his time at Duisburger Hafen AG, Schlipköther founded several subsidiaries that strengthened the Port of Duisburg strategically and operationally. Under his leadership, duisport rail GmbH became a fully-fledged railway company with all European safety certifications, connecting the Port of Duisburg with other ports in Europe. He also headed duisport Facility Logistics GmbH, which was responsible for technical facility management for the 1,680-hectare port area, 42 kilometers of quay facilities, 250 kilometers of track, and over 2.2 million square meters of warehouse space. For the past 15 years, this subsidiary also operated the port’s own container terminals.

Another key project in his career was managing “duisport consult GmbH ,” with which he established the port as a consultant for international port and infrastructure projects worldwide. Notable projects include the rehabilitation of the Port of Umm Qasr in Iraq, the design of a multifunctional terminal in Dubai for DP World, and a hinterland concept for the Port of Santos in Brazil . duisport also acted as a consultant in Doha, Qatar, and on the major Chinese “Great Stone” project in Minsk . A significant project in recent years has been the development of the “Duisburg Gateway Terminal” (DGT) , which, with a capacity of 950,000 TEU, is set to become the largest trimodal container hub in Europe.

In addition to his operational activities within the company, Thomas Schlipköther led Duisburger Hafen AG’s digitalization strategy. Through automation and the use of new technologies, the efficiency of the port terminals was continuously increased. A key milestone in this area was the establishment of the startup incubator “startport,” which now supports over 50 young companies and promotes innovation in the logistics industry.

At the end of 2022, Thomas Schlipköther left Duisburger Hafen AG and took over the position of CEO of RELA AG in Oberhausen at the beginning of 2023. In his new role, as head of a family-run consulting and real estate company, he is dedicated to a new challenge: the development and construction of 17 terminals along the central corridor between Europe and China in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. He is also currently advising on new projects at German inland ports and seaports worldwide to optimize logistics processes and develop sustainable business models.

Since 2008, Prof. Thomas Schlipköther has also been a professor of port management and logistics at the University of Duisburg-Essen and has taught in the field of supply chain management since 2013. With his extensive practical experience and knowledge from international projects, he also serves on various expert committees and technical boards, contributing his expertise to the progress of the logistics industry.

Experience generates success – Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Schlipköther on his work

We are convinced that despite decades of experience in the planning,  construction and operation of ports and terminals, the development and implementation of supply chains as well as the planning and realization of real estate projects, one must always continue to develop. 

Over the many decades of our professional activities, we have not always been error-free, but we have always tried to see mistakes as opportunities, to analyze and understand their causes, and to avoid them in the future by adapting our systems.

For example, over the past 20 years, we’ve developed an AI-based predictive maintenance system that reflects all of our FM experience. The resulting analyses are incorporated into our standardized service specifications.

We are and want to remain a small team of experienced, dedicated and excellent professionals.

This way, we can ensure that no information is lost between our customers, the partners involved, and us.

We see ourselves as universally thinking experts with a neutral focus on the respective, individual questions of our customers. 

We can always rely on the employees of over 110 affiliated companies, who support us with their specialized knowledge in their fields. 

We stand by our clients until the project is fully completed and always represent their interests. 

We involve them in the respective decision-making processes – ultimately, it is and remains their project.