De Jong Shipping Group has acquired a minority stake in inland shipping company TransMatch with retroactive effect from 1 January 2026. The move strengthens the group’s inland shipping activities and marks its first structural presence in the Belgian market.
TransMatch operates in the ARA region, Belgium, Northern France and parts of the Rhine and Moselle, combining a growing own fleet with a strong commercial network.
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Cooperation over expansion
The partnership focuses on complementary operations rather than fleet expansion. De Jong Shipping contributes expertise in push barge shipping, while TransMatch brings regional market knowledge and a strong position in motor vessel shipping. According to the companies, the cooperation will improve flexibility in tonnage deployment and broaden service offerings.
Pelger de Jong of De Jong Shipping: ‘We see cooperation as a more effective way to grow than adding capacity in an already competitive market. TransMatch has a strong position in Belgian inland shipping and is deeply embedded in the local network. That combination of entrepreneurship and market knowledge fits well with our own way of working. This step enables us to further strengthen our position in inland shipping in a focused way and broaden our services further.’
‘For us, this collaboration feels like a logical next step,’ adds Lazlo Albrecht of TransMatch. ‘Both De Jong Shipping Group and TransMatch are family businesses with a strong anchoring in the inland shipping sector. We share the same vision on entrepreneurship: short lines of communication, flexibility and focus on long-term relationships. By joining forces, we can accelerate further growth while at the same time maintaining our own identity and way of working. This collaboration creates additional opportunities for customers, vessel owners and partners in a rapidly evolving market.’
Picture: Push barge combination (photo by De Jong Shipping).
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