Rhenus Group has put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), meaning that it the global logistics service provider will operate barge services in several of the country’s national waterways.
The initial phase will see Rhenus introduce push boats and 20 flat bottom barges from Germany with a capacity of 400 tonnes, which can be combined to transport up to 1,200 tonnes per trip. As demands grow, Rhenus India will boost its fleet to100 barges and expand its passages across the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian government has pledged to strengthen its inland waterways as a key aspect of the country’s logistics ecosystem, with the goal of carrying more than a million tonnes of cargo per year by 2025. Boasting over 14,500 km of navigable waterways, India’s inland water transport sector has seen cargo volumes increase from 30 million mt per annum in 2014 to 133 million mt in 2024.
“Rhenus is excited to partner with IWAI in this transformative journey to create a smarter, greener and more economical logistics network,” said Vivek Arya, ceo of Rhenus Logistics India & global ceo of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Intercontinental. “Recognising the immense potential of India’s inland waterways, we are committed to adapt our best practices to suit the Indian environment and contribute towards seamless waterway movement through our innovative solutions.”
Rhenus India will introduce its inland waterways transport solutions, which are scheduled barge services that will allow cargo transport on both the Ganga River and the Brahmaputra River. These logistics solutions are intended to be sustainable and cost-effective, which allow for seamless cargo movements across the Indian subcontinent.
Last month, Blu Logistics LATAM rebranded to Rhenus Logistics, following Rhenus’ acquisition in 2023.
