Fairplay Towage buys Elbclearing in Elbe consolidation move

The move is seen as a strategic step to consolidate towage, emergency response and port services along one of northern Germany’s most important industrial waterways.

The Elbe is not only one of Germany’s longest rivers but also a vital navigable waterway that links inland industrial regions with the North Sea. It supports key ports, especially Hamburg, facilitates important freight movements and forms part of Europe’s transport infrastructure, even as challenges like fluctuating water levels affect its role.

The transaction, which deepens a partnership that has shaped towage and port operations at Stade/Bützfleth for decades, gives Fairplay full ownership of Elbclearing, including its stakes in port-operating companies and terminal-related investments.

Fairplay has long been a fixture on the Elbe, where it provides emergency and escort towage services, with vessels stationed at Bützfleth. Under the new ownership structure, the group plans to expand its permanent presence in Stade, deploying more modern tonnage and developing its emergency towing concept. This includes assets such as the Fairplay-35, which plays a key role in safeguarding traffic on the river.

“Our main objective is to enhance the efficiency of our services while simultaneously strengthening the logistical significance of the port of Stade/Bützfleth,” said Philip-Alexander Harmstorf, managing director of Fairplay Towage Group, calling the location ‘crucial’ for reliably servicing the Elbe corridor from Hamburg via Brunsbüttel to Cuxhaven, an area that supports heavy industry, energy projects and growing offshore-related logistics.

‘Additional synergies’

Fairplay said the acquisition will allow it to create additional operational synergies, improving both safety and response times on the Elbe while ensuring long-term supply security for customers at the port of Stade/Bützfleth. Continuous investment in modern assets at the site is planned.

Marcus Schlichting, the current managing partner of Elbclearing, will remain as managing director. Holger Schwesig, also managing director of Fairplay Towage Group, said Schlichting’s ‘extensive experience and deep understanding of the industry’ would be vital to the future development of both companies.

Founded as a specialist in towage and maritime services, Fairplay has grown into one of Germany’s leading operators in port and emergency towage, with a strong emphasis on innovation, safety and infrastructure development.

Elbclearing has been a key local partner at Stade/Bützfleth, closely linked to the port’s industrial growth.

It has been offering ship agency, towage, mooring/unmooring, cargo handling and other port services along the lower Elbe since 1972, and operates a small fleet including workboat Elbclearing 8, a 36m workboat/cargo ferry, alongside its other vessel Elbclearing 3, a 20m push tugboat.

With the deal complete, Fairplay signalled it intends to push ahead with new solutions and closer collaboration with partners, mpositioning the combined operations to set fresh benchmarks for towage and port services on the Elbe.