Container specialist files for insolvency: Bremen-based Dettmer Container Packing and its significance for German port logistics

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Published on: October 17, 2025 / Updated on: October 17, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Container specialist files for insolvency: Bremen-based Dettmer Container Packing and its significance for German port logistics – Symbolic image: Xpert.Digital

Bremen, Hamburg, Duisburg affected: What the insolvency of the container packer DCP means for the transport of goods

What happened at Dettmer Container Packing?

On October 13, 2025, the stevedoring company Dettmer Container Packing, or DCP for short, filed for insolvency with the Bremen District Court. The company is a joint venture between the two established logistics groups, BLG Logistics and Dettmer Group, which each hold 50 percent of the limited partnership capital. According to the partners' official press release, ongoing economic difficulties and a lack of a going concern forecast are the reasons for this drastic step. What is particularly worrying is that not only DCP itself is affected, but its wholly-owned subsidiary, PCB Packing Betriebsgesellschaft, will also most likely file for insolvency, given the close ties between the two companies.

How many jobs are affected?

The insolvency has far-reaching consequences for employees at three different locations in Germany. DCP itself employs 148 people, while its subsidiary PCB has another 91. A total of 239 jobs are at risk. These are spread across the three locations: Bremen with 133 jobs, Hamburg with 75 jobs, and Duisburg with 24 jobs. The affected employees now fear for their professional futures, while the Bremen District Court is expected to appoint a provisional insolvency administrator after the formation of a creditors' committee.

What role does the container packing industry play in the German port industry?

Container packing service providers like DCP are an important part of the German port industry. They handle the packing, repacking, and repair of containers, activities essential for the smooth flow of international goods traffic. These companies form a critical link in the logistics chain, and their failure can quickly lead to bottlenecks. The industry is particularly important for major German port locations such as Bremen, Hamburg, and Duisburg, which face intense competition with other European ports for market share.

How important is Bremen as a logistics location?

Bremen is one of Germany's most important logistics centers and boasts a centuries-old tradition in port management. Bremen's ports are among the most important universal ports in Europe and work seamlessly with Bremerhaven. The port and logistics industry directly employs up to 40,000 people in the region, and more broadly, one in three jobs in Bremen depends on transport and handling. Around 77,000 people are directly and indirectly dependent on the port in the state of Bremen. Its function as a hub for international flows of goods not only makes Bremen a significant logistics location but also provides the foundation for successful industrial and foreign trade companies.

What specific services did the DCP offer?

DCP had positioned itself as an established player in the container packing services segment. With approximately 100,000 square meters of storage space, the company was considered one of the most established players in this field. The company was founded as a joint venture between two established logistics groups and developed over the years into a major service provider in overseas container transport. Its business model was based on a multiport concept at locations in Bremen, Hamburg, and Duisburg, where services were offered to customers in international trade. In addition to traditional container packing, its core businesses included cargo space optimization, heavy goods handling, and container repairs.

What exactly is container packing?

Container packing encompasses all activities related to the professional packaging, repacking, and loading of containers. This involves more than just filling containers; it involves the optimal use of available cargo space, taking various factors into account. These include observing weight distribution, securing cargo according to international CTU packing guidelines, and minimizing stowage losses. Cargo space optimization also plays an important role, with intelligent planning achieving maximum container utilization. Modern container packing service providers often use special software that creates optimal stowage plans in seconds, including calculating the center of gravity and cargo distribution.

What does the DCP multiport concept mean?

The multiport concept meant that DCP offered its services at several port locations simultaneously. This enabled the company to serve customers at various key transshipment points in Germany. Bremen, Hamburg, and Duisburg are strategically important ports for German foreign trade. Bremen and Bremerhaven handle 61.9 million tons of goods annually. With approximately 100 liner services worldwide, Hamburg is highly interconnected and a central hub for container traffic. As the world's largest inland port, Duisburg has excellent connections to European seaports. Through its presence at all three locations, DCP was able to offer its customers flexible, cross-location solutions.

What economic problems led to the insolvency?

According to the official statement, the market situation and industry conditions have deteriorated noticeably, which has had a lasting impact on DCP's earnings. Despite several restructuring measures supported by the shareholders, no stabilization could be achieved that would have allowed the company to continue operations. The German Transport Newspaper (Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung) previously confirmed the difficult situation of the company, which specializes in container packing and repair. The shareholders apparently tried for an extended period to save the company through restructuring measures, but ultimately had to give up.

What is the current situation of the container packing industry as a whole?

The container packing industry is under considerable pressure. It is part of a logistics sector struggling with structural problems. Container packing services are a critical link in global supply chains, but the entire industry is suffering from various pressures. According to industry analyses, more than half of all European freight forwarders are struggling with growth due to a shortage of skilled workers. Geopolitical conflicts and technical failures have placed particular pressure on supply chains. The situation in European container transport is complex, with challenges posed by longer container dwell times at terminals, delays, diversions, and logistical bottlenecks.

What role do geopolitical factors play?

Geopolitical tensions are having a significant impact on global shipping routes and thus on the entire container industry. Sanctions, trade wars, and high tariffs are forcing companies to develop new logistics strategies. Security challenges in the Red Sea and alternative routing strategies, in particular, have increased costs. Ships that must circumnavigate Africa incur significant additional costs, estimated at approximately $1,000 per container. Transit through the Bab al-Mandab Strait Canal has declined by over 50 percent. These developments are putting a strain on the entire supply chain and thus also on container packing service providers who rely on a smooth container flow.

How severely is the logistics industry affected by bankruptcies?

The logistics sector is particularly hard hit by the wave of insolvencies. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of regular insolvencies filed in Germany rose by 16.8 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. The situation is particularly dramatic in the transport and warehousing sector, i.e., logistics, with 11.5 insolvencies per 10,000 companies. This is twice the average for all sectors. The transport sector thus leads the negative list. On average in 2024, 121.8 insolvencies per 10,000 companies were reported in the transport sector, almost twice as many as in the construction industry. These figures demonstrate that freight transport continues to be under enormous economic pressure.

Why are logistics companies so badly affected?

The high insolvency rate in the logistics industry has several structural causes. Low margins, long payment terms, and short contract terms leave investors with little scope for restructuring. The transport and warehousing sector is twice as affected by payment defaults as the industry average. High fixed and operating costs are difficult to adjust when revenues decline. Added to this are high operating costs and massive competitive pressure. The ongoing driver shortage is further exacerbating the situation. The aftereffects of the coronavirus aid, which many companies are now having to partially repay, are also putting a strain on the situation. Small and medium-sized transport companies in particular are struggling with rising operating costs, high wage expenses, a shortage of qualified personnel, and increasing market regulation.

How serious is the truck driver shortage in Germany?

The truck driver shortage in Germany has reached alarming proportions. There is currently a shortage of over 70,000 truck drivers, with this number increasing by approximately 20,000 annually. The age structure of professional drivers is particularly worrying. 39 percent of professional drivers in freight transport are already 55 years of age or older, which is significantly higher than the average for all professions. In the coming years, many experienced drivers will reach retirement age and retire. Forecasts indicate that by 2028, there could be a shortage of more than 745,000 drivers in Europe, corresponding to 17 percent of all jobs in the industry. The annual cost of the driver shortage to the German economy is estimated at ten billion euros.

Why is the job of truck driver so unattractive?

The reasons for the truck driver shortage are manifold. In addition to the aging workforce, the high costs of obtaining a truck driver's license and professional qualifications, which average 3.7 times the monthly minimum wage, also play a role. The profession is unattractive to young people and women. Only 5 percent of drivers in Europe are under 25 years old, and the proportion of women is just 6 percent. Long working hours, a lack of social recognition, and unattractive salaries make the profession unattractive. Transport prices should actually rise so that drivers can be paid more fairly, but competitive pressures hardly allow this. This further exacerbates concerns about the lack of young talent.

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What role do foreign truck drivers play?

Foreign truck drivers play a central role in German freight transport. In Germany, around one in three truck drivers does not have a German passport. One in four professional drivers in Germany comes from abroad, with a total of just under 133,000 foreign employees in 2020. Almost half of the trucks on German roads are registered abroad. The market share of foreign trucks in the German market is steadily increasing. In 2023, foreign vehicles accounted for 12.8 percent of the transported goods weight but 45.7 percent of the transport performance. Most foreign trucks came from Eastern and Southeastern European countries, with Polish trucks leading the way.

Why are many transport companies withdrawing from Germany?

According to media reports, many transport companies are withdrawing from the German market because the business is no longer profitable. Economic weakness in Germany, France, and Great Britain means lower export volumes, fewer orders, and increased price pressure, especially for companies from Central and Eastern Europe. High energy and labor costs, as well as high tax and bureaucratic burdens compared to other countries, make Germany an unattractive location. The erosion of integration in the European logistics market is reducing competitiveness. Companies from other EU countries are increasingly viewed not as partners for increasing efficiency, but as competitors.

How are the shareholders BLG Logistics and Dettmer Group reacting?

Both parent companies, BLG Logistics and the Dettmer Group, which each hold 50 percent of the limited partnership capital, assured in their statements that they will constructively support the insolvency proceedings. The goal is to achieve the best possible solution in the interests of employees, business partners, and creditors. Business operations will continue for the time being. Other companies in the two corporate groups are not affected. This demonstrates that, despite the insolvency of their joint subsidiary, the shareholders are striving to limit the damage and find the best possible solution for all parties involved.

Who is BLG Logistics?

The BLG Logistics Group is an internationally active seaport and logistics service provider based in Bremen. The company was founded in February 1877 by 65 merchants as Bremer Lagerhaus-Gesellschaft. Today, the BLG Group operates with nearly 100 locations and branches in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. The operating divisions Automotive, Contract, and Container offer services for automotive, industrial, and commercial customers. The Group employs approximately 11,000 to 20,000 people worldwide. The Automotive and Container divisions are leading companies in Europe. In the 2024 fiscal year, the BLG Group achieved stable sales of €1.2 billion.

Who is the Dettmer Group?

The Dettmer Group is a long-established logistics company specializing in maritime logistics. The company was founded in 1947 by Bernhard Dettmer. The Dettmer Group's business areas include inland waterway transport, air freight handling, warehousing and handling, container packing, waste management and disposal, the operation of a kerosene pipeline, tank storage, truck transport, and rail transport services. The Dettmer Reederei operates with over 30 tankers on all Western European waterways under the German flag. The company is a family-run business, enabling rapid entrepreneurial decision-making to find customized and rapid solutions for customers.

What happens now in the insolvency proceedings?

After the formation of a creditors' committee, the Bremen District Court is expected to appoint a provisional insolvency administrator this week. Their assessment will determine whether restructuring is possible. The provisional insolvency administrator is tasked with securing the insolvent debtor's assets for the creditors. They will examine the company, prepare an expert opinion, and determine whether the assets are sufficient to cover the costs of the proceedings. Typically, a so-called weak provisional insolvency administrator is appointed with a reservation of consent. This means that the management still makes the decisions but must coordinate closely with the provisional insolvency administrator.

What role does the creditors’ committee play?

The creditors' committee is an important decision-making body for creditors in insolvency proceedings. The insolvency court appoints one in larger cases. The creditors' committee generally consists of an odd number of members, although in practice, committees with three or five members predominate. The members are selected by the insolvency court. The main tasks of the creditors' committee include participating in the selection of the insolvency administrator, supporting and monitoring the insolvency administrator, and approving particularly significant legal transactions. The creditors' committee also has the right to request the dismissal of the insolvency administrator for good cause.

What are the chances of restructuring the DCP?

The chances of restructuring for insolvent logistics companies are extremely slim in 2025. According to a recent analysis by the restructuring consultancy Falkensteg, the rescue rate for logistics insolvencies is only 16.7 percent. While around 33.7 percent of insolvent large companies across all sectors are still rescued, only three of 18 insolvent transport companies were able to continue operating through a sale in 2024. Low margins, long payment terms, and short contract terms leave investors little scope for restructuring. The market is unattractive for investors due to high infrastructure costs, strict regulatory requirements, and a shortage of skilled workers.

What does the insolvency mean for supply chains?

The DCP bankruptcy hits an already strained market segment. Container packing services are a crucial link in global supply chains. The failure of an established service provider with 100,000 square meters of storage space and locations in Bremen, Hamburg, and Duisburg could lead to bottlenecks in the logistics chain. The affected ports must now find alternative service providers or other container packing companies must take over the capacity. This can lead to delays and increased costs in international goods transport. The situation is particularly critical because supply chains are already under pressure from geopolitical conflicts, technical failures, and skilled labor shortages.

What does the future of the container industry look like?

The container industry faces major challenges but also demonstrates resilience. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and economic difficulties, demand for container transport remains strong. In the first half of 2025, container throughput increased slightly at major European ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam, while other segments declined. However, the industry faces various challenges. These include adapting to new environmental regulations and technological innovations to reduce emissions. The digitalization and automation of port logistics are becoming increasingly important. Concepts such as smart ports, based on the combined use of information technology developments, are gaining momentum.

What impact does the wave of insolvencies have on the German economy?

The high number of insolvencies, especially in the logistics sector, has far-reaching consequences for the entire German economy. The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce estimates that more than 22,000 companies will file for insolvency this year, equivalent to over 60 insolvencies per day. This is not good news for Germany as a business location. The causes are declining exports, particularly to the USA, as well as falling industrial production and the persistently weak economy. Bottlenecks in the logistics sector can lead to delivery delays and potential supply bottlenecks for the economy and society. Negative effects on other industries that depend on freight transport are inevitable.

What do experts call for to stabilize the situation?

To stabilize the region, experts are calling for improved economic conditions. Companies need rapid, tangible reforms. High energy and personnel costs, as well as high tax and bureaucratic burdens compared to other countries, are cited as the main burdens. To counteract the driver shortage, urgent measures are needed, such as improving working conditions, targeted promotion of young talent, and increasing the attractiveness of the profession. Simplified recognition of foreign qualifications is also considered necessary. Investments in modern infrastructure and the implementation of important transport infrastructure projects are also required.

What is the situation in the other German port cities?

The other major German ports of Hamburg and Duisburg are also grappling with similar challenges. As Germany's largest port, Hamburg is strongly connected worldwide with around 100 liner services. In 2024, China will lead Hamburg's list of partner countries for container handling with 2.2 million TEU. The digitalization of port logistics is also progressing in Hamburg, with concepts such as smartPORT logistics for the efficient management of traffic and goods flows. Duisburg, as the world's largest inland port, is an important hub for intermodal transport. The city offers ideal connections for container transport by rail, barge, and truck. All three locations where DCP operated are of central importance to German foreign trade.

What does this mean for the future of port logistics?

The insolvency of DCP is a warning sign for the entire port logistics industry in Germany. It shows that even established companies with decades of experience and strong shareholders cannot withstand the current market conditions. The industry's structural problems, from a shortage of skilled workers to high operating costs and geopolitical uncertainty, require fundamental reforms and adjustments. At the same time, digitalization offers opportunities for greater efficiency and competitiveness. Ports must evolve into smart ports and optimize their processes. Only by investing in modern technologies, improving working conditions, and eliminating bureaucratic hurdles can German port logistics maintain its position in international competition.

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