Salzgitter and Oldendorff Carriers partner to decarbonize maritime iron ore transport

Salzgitter Flachstahl and Oldendorff Carriers have entered into a long-term agreement to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime transport of iron ore, marking a further step toward decarbonizing Salzgitter’s steel supply chain. The long-term partnership expected to cut CO₂e emissions by at least 20%, saving around 19,000 tonnes. The emission reductions equal removing more than 4,000 passenger cars from the road for a year.

Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of the Executive Board of Salzgitter AG says: “In our SALCOS project, we are focusing not only on decarbonizing the internal production route for steelmaking, but also on related process steps along the entire value chain. Logistics – particularly seaborne raw material transport – plays a central role in this context.”
Starting in January 2026, Oldendorff will transport iron ore for Salzgitter from various loading ports to Hamburg using bulk carriers operated with a focus on fuel-efficient practices. By optimizing cargo flows and routing, the collaboration is expected to reduce CO₂e emissions by at least 20%. Salzgitter will incur no additional costs as a result of these measures – in fact, the reduction of transport fuel consumption will lead to cost savings. ##This collaboration is projected to cut approximately 19,000 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to removing over 4,000 passenger cars from the road for a year. The reductions represent Scope 1 emissions for Oldendorff and Scope 3 emissions for Salzgitter.
According to Salzgitter, this German collaboration reflects the decarbonization strategies of both companies, with each pursuing concrete measures to reduce emissions across their operations. Oldendorff’s fleet primarily consists of modern “eco”-type bulk carriers, which are designed to reduce fuel consumption compared to earlier vessel generations. Optimized hull forms, advanced engine technology, and additional fuel-saving features contribute to a lower carbon intensity per tonne of cargo transported.
Salzgitter, one of Europe’s leading steel and technology companies, is committed to significantly reducing CO₂ emissions in its production processes. Through closed material loops, energy optimization and investment in new technologies, the company is advancing its transition toward climate-neutral steel.
Source: Salzgitter AG