India Enhances Inland Water Transport with Rhenus Logistics Partnership
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | MoU signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Rhenus Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. |
| Date | May 6, 2025 |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Objective | Deployment and operation of cargo barges and pusher tugs across national waterways |
| Key Waterways | NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-16, and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route |
| Phase 1 (Q3 2025) | Deployment of 20 barges and 6 pusher tugs |
| Cargo Type | Bulk and break-bulk cargo across North, East, and Northeast India and neighbouring countries |
| Strategic Goals | Encourages private sector participation, reduces logistics cost, improves environmental sustainability |
| Jal Marg Vikas Project | Funded by World Bank; aims to develop NW-1 between Haldia and Varanasi |
| Jalvahak Cargo Promotion Scheme | Launched in Dec 2024; offers up to 35% incentive on water-based cargo journeys |
| Current Status of Waterways | Operational waterways increased from 24 to 29; river cruises active on 13 national waterways |
| Cargo Traffic Record | Reached 145.84 million tonnes |