First-DDSG Logistics Holding GmbH > History

The Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft (First Danube Steamboat Shipping Company) or DDSG was a shipping company founded in 1829 by the Austrian government for transporting passengers and cargo on the Danube

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OUR HISTORY

“Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft” (DDSG) – the largest inland navigation company in the world at the end of the 19th century, with 200 steam vessels, around 1 000 barges, own shipyards and a coal mine

DDSG company's minutes book of the general duties, used in 1829-1840, kept in the company's museum.

1829	Foundation on the 13th of March 1829 of the “Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft” in Austria.
1830	First steam vessel “Franz I” was put into operation between Vienna and Budapest. The first sea steam-vessel of DDSG “Maria Dorothea” was built in Triest.
1834	Start of sea post transportations.
1913	Foundation of “Bayerischer Lloyd” in Germany (in ownership since 1998).
1866	Start of transportations of postal items with own stamp and seal.
1880	“Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft” was the largest inland navigation company in the world, with 200 steam vessels, around 1 000 barges, own shipyards, a coal mine and branches in Hungary.

1830

First steam vessel “Franz I” was put into operation between Vienna and Budapest.

1895	Foundation of “MFTR” (Mahart) – shipping company in Hungary (in ownership since 2004).
1927	Steam tug boat “Österreich” – the strongest in the Danube history (2 400 HP) – was built in the Obuda shipyard, Hungary.
1972	Foundation of “Avanti Schifffahrt und Lager GmbH” in Austria (in ownership since 2002).
1973	Change from tug vessel system to more economical pushing vessel system.
1991	During the privatization process, the organization is split in two companies – one for passengers and another for cargo transport. “DDSG Cargo GmbH” is established.
2001	Building of high volume vessels for light commodities – convoys for west traffic which hold volumes of up to 7 000 m³.

1895

Foundation of “MFTR” (Mahart) – shipping company in Hungary (in ownership since 2004).

2002	ISO Certification 9001:2000.
2003	First pusher with more than 5 000 HP goes into operation.
2007	Foundation of the “Helogistics Holding GmbH” as the parent company of “DDSG – Cargo GmbH” and “MAHART Duna Cargo Kft” in Austria. “klima:aktiv” award for environmental protection (CO2 reduction) from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.
2010	Acquisition of “Helogistics Holding G.m.b.H.” by Ferrexpo Plc., Switzerland. Second “klima:aktiv” award from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.
2013	Revival of the original historical name “First – DDSG Logistics Holding GmbH”.
2014	The reconstructed tug-push low draft ship "Miskolc" for feeder and rescue operation started work.
2015	New generation of "Jumbo Convoys" ("B.Blomberg", "Herzogenburg", "J. Strauss") went in operation on the "West line" between Danube and North sea ports.
2015	New extra strong liner pusher "Dürnstein" and "Greifenstein" was bulit in Linz for "East line".
2017	First voyage of our "supersize convoy" -> 12 barges was done by "Dürnstein".
2017	A new floating cargo transloader "Arpad" started lightering works in Hungary.
2017	The bunkerstation ship "Möll" went after reconstruction (double hull) in operation again.
2017	2 new "Jumbo Barges" went in operation.
2018	The bilgewater station "Super cleaner" started operation in Linz.
2019	The floating dock "Smart" was installed in Austria