Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt GmbH today

True to the tradition of the former Ozean-Linie of 1921, Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt GmbH, to this day successfully operates the service between North Europe and the Gulf of Mexico. We proudly continue to provide first class, flexible and reliable shipping solutions for our customers globally.

Joining forces with Vineta

In 2017 Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt GmbH became part of family-owned Vineta-Group to take advantage of sharing resources and know how of well-established and future orientated logistic activities.

Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt GmbH

In 2008, Deutsche Seereederei Rostock GmbH sold the activities of "H. Stinnes Linien GmbH" to Stinnes Holding GmbH, renaming the company to Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt GmbH.

Relocation to Rostock

In 2002, Deutsche Seereederei and Prescher Anlagenbau GmbH acquired the remaining shares from the Stinnes family and relocated the headquarters of H. Stinnes Linien from Hamburg to Rostock.

H. Stinnes Linien GmbH

In 1998 DSR/Stinnes West Indies Services GmbH was renamed to H. Stinnes Linien GmbH.

DSR/Stinnes West Indies Services GmbH

In 1992 Deutsche Seereederei Rostock GmbH founded the shipping company DSR/Stinnes West Indies Services GmbH, based in Hamburg.

Post Reunification

Shortly after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, The Hugo Stinnes Branch in Hamburg and Deutsche Seereederei Rostock GmbH (DSR) signed a cooperation contract and joint their services. It is said, that this cooperation was a prime example for a successful merger of a former east German and a former west German company after German reunification.

A new generation

Throughout his life, Otto Stinnes’ main focus has always been on shipping. To secure the shipping company’s future, he appointed Mathias Stinnes, a nephew from the extended family, as his successor.

When Mathias Stinnes took over one year later, he decided to continue the Ocean Line in old Stinnes Tradition and also partnered up again with H. Schuldt., calling ports like Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp and ports in the Gulf of Mexico. But instead of using own vessels, he chartered vessels for this service.

When the Cooperation of the shipping companies Hugo Stinnes and H. Schuldt ended in the late 80’s, their activities were split as well, with Stinnes calling only the Mexican ports and H. Schuldt. only the US ports in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hugo Stinnes Fuel, Iron - and Shipping Company

After the Second World War, widow of Hugo Stinnes and their sons Hugo and Otto, founded a new company, called Hugo Stinnes Fuel, Iron- and Shipping Company. Soon after, Otto Stinnes relocated to Hamburg and took over the management of the shipping arm of the Company. He decided to operate the former ocean line between the continent and Central America again. Partner became, like in the 1920’s, Shipping Company H. Schuldt. The Service was called Ocean/Stinnes-Line.

Hugo Stinnes Legacy

In 1924, on the death of Hugo Stinnes, more than 30 ships sailed under the Stinnes flag between Central and South America and East Asia in cooperation with other shipping partners.

First transatlantic service

For a couple of years, Stinnes joined forces with shipping company H. Schuldt and became part of the Ozean-Linie between Europe and Mexico.

AG für Seeschifffahrt und Überseehandel

In 1917 Hugo Stinnes founded the "AG für Seeschifffahrt und Überseehandel" in Hamburg. This new venture included the companies of Mathias Stinnes and Hugo Stinnes.
From this point on, all aspects of Stinnes' shipping interests and overseas trade converged into this joint stock company.

Foundation of Hugo Stinnes GmbH

About a 100 years later Hugo Stinnes founded “Hugo Stinnes GmbH” primarily for the purpose of coal trading on the coast and ship-related handling and shipping. But soon after, he had manufactured the first Stinnes fleet with the purpose of opening up new sales markets for iron and steel.

The Origin

Hugo Stinnes’ grandfather Mathias Stinnes founded a company for shipping and coal trading. However, its activities were mainly limited to the Rhine and Ruhr rivers. He ordered the first vessels that sailed under the name “Stinnes”.