India, Rhenus to Launch Barge Cargo Services on Waterways
12 May 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
In a major step towards enhancing green logistics, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 6 May 2025 with global logistics firm Rhenus Logistics India Private Limited to commence barge cargo services across India鈥檚 key national waterways.
Under the agreement, Rhenus will introduce 100 barges in phases, beginning with the deployment of 20 barges and six pushers. The initiative targets the transportation of over one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways stated.
鈥淚nland waterways offer a remarkable opportunity to create a greener, cost-effective, and efficient logistics network,鈥� said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the signing ceremony.
Initial operations will cover the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers, as well as the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route, facilitating movement of bulk and break bulk cargo across northern, eastern, and northeastern India. Expansion to additional national waterways is planned in subsequent phases.
Rhenus, with its European inland navigation expertise and a global fleet exceeding 1,100 barges, is expected to introduce global best practices in Indian operations. A combination of pushers and barges tailored for low-draft navigation will be utilised.
India鈥檚 inland waterways network has expanded significantly, with operational national waterways increasing from three in 2014鈥�15 to 24 by 2023鈥�24, and a target of 29 by 2024鈥�25. Cargo movement has grown from 30 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in 2014鈥�15 to 133 MMTPA in 2023鈥�24, resulting in a cumulative 779 million metric tonnes of cargo moved in the past decade.
Currently, India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways across 111 declared national waterways. The Ministry said the sector is poised to become a key component of the country鈥檚 multimodal logistics ecosystem.
In a major step towards enhancing green logistics, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 6 May 2025 with global logistics firm Rhenus Logistics India Private Limited to commence barge cargo services across India鈥檚 key national waterways.Under the agreement, Rhenus will introduce 100 barges in phases, beginning with the deployment of 20 barges and six pushers. The initiative targets the transportation of over one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways stated.鈥淚nland waterways offer a remarkable opportunity to create a greener, cost-effective, and efficient logistics network,鈥� said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the signing ceremony.Initial operations will cover the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers, as well as the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route, facilitating movement of bulk and break bulk cargo across northern, eastern, and northeastern India. Expansion to additional national waterways is planned in subsequent phases.Rhenus, with its European inland navigation expertise and a global fleet exceeding 1,100 barges, is expected to introduce global best practices in Indian operations. A combination of pushers and barges tailored for low-draft navigation will be utilised.India鈥檚 inland waterways network has expanded significantly, with operational national waterways increasing from three in 2014鈥�15 to 24 by 2023鈥�24, and a target of 29 by 2024鈥�25. Cargo movement has grown from 30 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in 2014鈥�15 to 133 MMTPA in 2023鈥�24, resulting in a cumulative 779 million metric tonnes of cargo moved in the past decade.Currently, India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways across 111 declared national waterways. The Ministry said the sector is poised to become a key component of the country鈥檚 multimodal logistics ecosystem.
Next Story
HCL-Foxconn to invest Rs 37 billion in chip plant near Jewar airport
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new semiconductor unit near Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission. This sixth plant, a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, marks further progress in India鈥檚 semiconductor journey. The project will see an investment of Rs 37 billion.The facility will produce display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, and other digital devices. It is designed for a monthly capacity of 20,000 wafers and an output of 36 million units.Five semiconductor units are already in advanced stages of constructi..
Next Story
Brigade acquires Velachery land for Rs 16-billion project
Brigade Enterprises has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road, Chennai, through an outright purchase for Rs 4.417 billion. Located next to Phoenix Market City, the site will be developed into a premium residential project with a gross development value of approximately Rs 16 billion and a development potential of 0.8 million square feet.The project offers strategic access to both the OMR IT Corridor and Chennai鈥檚 Central Business District, promising strong connectivity and premium lifestyle offerings. Brigade plans to create signature residences focused on aesthetics, functional..
Next Story
Liebherr marks 10,000th XPower wheel loader milestone
Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen has rolled out its 10,000th XPower wheel loader, marking a major production milestone. The anniversary L 580 XPower model, featuring a power-split travel drive developed with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, was handed over to the BERGER Group in Passau.鈥淭he transmission from our partner ZF is a key component of the drivetrain in our XPower wheel loaders,鈥� said Gerhard Pirnbacher, Head of Quality Management at Liebherr. 鈥淲ith an impressive total of around 64 million operating hours already clocked up by XPower models, this transmission has proven its exceptional robustn..
