With the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Rhenus Group aims to operate inland waterway transport on various national waterways in India in the future.
In the first phase, push boats and 20 flat-bottomed barges from Germany with a capacity of 400 tons are to be used, which, according to their own statements, can then transport up to 1,200 tons per trip as coupled units. With growing demand, Rhenus India intends to expand the fleet to 100 ships and extend the corridors across the Indian subcontinent, it is said. Michael de Reese, head of the Rhenus Port Logistics Division:
“Inland navigation is the backbone of the manufacturing economy in Germany as well as in Europe. With our expertise and many
years of experience in mastering challenges such as the expansion of waterway infrastructure, fluctuating water levels, and the training of reliable skilled personnel, we can support the growing Indian economy together with the IWAI.”
One Million Tons of Cargo Per YearThrough cooperation with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), they aim to contribute to building a stable multimodal logistics system in India. The goal is to transport over one million tons of cargo per year by 2025.
Rhenus signed the MoU with the IWAI on May 5 to support the Indian government's commitment to strengthening inland navigation. With over 14,500 kilometers of navigable waterways, including 111 national waterways, the Indian inland navigation sector, managed by the IWAI, is
experiencing significant growth, according to Rhenus. For example, freight volumes have increased from 30 million MMTPA (Metric Tonnes per Annum) in 2014 to 133 MMTPA in 2024.
Cargo Ships on Ganges and BrahmaputraRhenus India plans to introduce transport solutions for inland navigation, including inland shipping line services, to facilitate freight transport on two Indian rivers, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. These sustainable logistics solutions would enable seamless freight transport in and beyond India. With this initiative, they are expanding their expertise in port operations and inland navigation from Europe to India.
Initially, Rhenus India intends to operate inland shipping connections on national waterways NW-1, NW-2, NW-16, and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route, with plans for gradual extension to other
national waterways in the country. Coupled units consisting of push boats and barges, adapted for navigation with low draft, are to be used to transport bulk and breakbulk cargo within Northern, Eastern, and Northeastern India and eventually between neighboring countries and India. Vivek Arya, CEO of Rhenus India and Global CEO of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Intercontinental:
“With more than 100 years of experience in inland navigation across Europe, Rhenus is delighted to collaborate with the IWAI to create a smarter, more environmentally friendly, and more economical logistics network. We are aware of the immense potential of Indian inland navigation and will adapt our proven practices to Indian conditions and contribute to smooth transport on the waterways with our innovative
