India partners with Rhenus Logistics to deploy 100 barges, targeting 1 MMT of cargo via inland waterways by 2025.
In a major push to enhance multimodal logistics via inland waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a key MoU with global logistics leader Rhenus Group. This move aims to transform cargo movement using eco-friendly, efficient barge transport across India’s National Waterways.
Under the agreement, Rhenus Logistics India will deploy 100 barges in phases, starting with 20 barges and 6 pushers on National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak). The initiative targets moving over one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the development, saying, “We are integrating global best practices under PM Narendra Modi’s vision for a greener and more efficient logistics network. This partnership marks a milestone in the Maritime India Vision 2030.”
Rhenus will also utilise the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route, bringing European inland waterway expertise and a fleet of 1,100+ global barges to India. Custom pushers and barges suited for low-draft navigation will carry both bulk and break-bulk cargo, especially across North, East, and Northeast India.
This collaboration aligns with the Jal Marg Vikas Project, under which IWAI is upgrading navigation infrastructure with dredging, terminals, community jetties, and navigational aids to enhance cargo and passenger traffic.
Also present were MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran, IWAI Chairman Vijay Kumar, and Rhenus India CEO Vivek Arya.
India’s inland water transport sector has seen exponential growth—cargo movement has risen from 30 MMTPA in 2014-15 to 145.84 MMTPA in 2024-25, spanning 14,500 km across 111 National Waterways. The sector is set to play a pivotal role in India’s multimodal logistics and sustainable growth journey.
SOURCE: PIB Delhi
