India Boosts Inland Waterways with Rhenus Logistics Partnership

India’s rivers are getting a big boost with a fresh deal between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Rhenus Logistics India. Signed on May 6, 2025, this agreement will bring 100 barges to the country’s major waterways, with plans to haul over a million tonnes of cargo every year by the end of 2025.

For starters, 20 barges and six pushers will hit the water on rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak, plus the Indo-Bangladesh route. These boats are built to glide through shallow spots, carrying everything from big bulk loads to smaller shipments across northern, eastern, and northeastern India. Later on, the project will spread to other rivers, helping tie together India’s transport network in a smarter way.

At the signing, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, shared his excitement. “Inland waterways provide a greener, cost-effective, and efficient logistics solution, aligning with our sustainable development goals,” he said. The ministry noted that using waterways cuts down on pollution and takes pressure off India’s busy highways.

Rhenus Logistics, a global company that runs over 1,100 barges, is bringing its river expertise from Europe to India. Their boats are designed to handle cargo smoothly, even when rivers get tricky.

India’s waterways have already come a long way. In 2014-15, just three were in use. By 2023-24, that number grew to 24, with 29 planned for this year. The amount of cargo moved by water has skyrocketed too, jumping from 30 million metric tonnes a year in 2014-15 to 133 million in 2023-24, totaling 779 million tonnes over the last decade.

This deal is a game-changer for how India moves goods, promising a boost to the economy and a nod to greener transport. It’s also set to strengthen trade and connections across South Asia as the network grows.