Search
Skip to content
    Search
    Global
    Choose your current location.
    Global
    Africa
    Egypt
    EN
    Namibia
    EN
    Morocco
    EN | FR
    Mozambique
    EN
    South Africa
    EN
    Tunisia
    EN
    Americas
    Argentina
    EN | ES
    Brazil
    EN | PT
    Canada
    EN
    Chile
    EN | ES
    Colombia
    EN | ES
    Ecuador
    EN | ES
    Mexico
    EN | ES
    Paraguay
    EN | ES
    United States of America
    EN
    Uruguay
    EN | ES
    Asia Pacific
    Australia
    EN
    Azerbaijan
    EN
    Cambodia
    EN | KM
    Georgia
    EN
    Greater China
    EN | CN | ZH
    Hong Kong
    EN | CN
    India
    EN
    Indonesia
    EN | ID
    Japan
    EN | JA
    Kazakhstan
    EN | RU
    Malaysia
    EN
    Myanmar
    EN | MM
    New Zealand
    EN
    Philippines
    EN
    Singapore
    EN
    South Korea
    EN
    Taiwan
    EN | CN
    Thailand
    EN | TH
    Uzbekistan
    EN | RU
    Vietnam
    EN
    Europe
    Albania
    EN
    Austria
    EN | DE
    Belgium
    EN | FR | NL
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    EN | BS
    Bulgaria
    EN
    Croatia
    EN | HR
    Cyprus
    EN
    Czech Republic
    EN | CZ
    Denmark
    EN | DA
    Estonia
    EN | ET
    Finland
    EN
    France
    EN | FR
    Germany
    EN | DE
    Hungary
    EN | HU
    Ireland
    EN
    Italy
    EN | IT
    Latvia
    EN | LV
    Lithuania
    EN | LT
    Luxembourg
    EN
    Netherlands
    EN | NL
    Poland
    EN | PL
    Portugal
    EN | PT
    Romania
    EN | RO
    Serbia
    EN | SR
    Slovakia
    EN | SK
    Slovenia
    EN | SL
    Spain
    EN | ES
    Sweden
    EN
    Switzerland
    EN | DE
    Türkiye
    EN
    Ukraine
    EN | UA
    United Kingdom
    EN
    Middle East
    Oman
    EN
    United Arab Emirates
    EN

    Inland waterway transport in logistics: Transport by sea, river and canal

    Reliable and cost-efficient: inland waterway transport has become an integral part of logistics – and rightly so. We get your freight to its destination on time via Europe’s waterways.

    Inland waterway logistics
    Your Benefits
    Transportation
    Europe’s largest fleet
    Gallery of ship types
    Contact
    FAQ
    Back to top

    Inland waterways logistics: Goods at a glance

    Inland waterway transport offers several advantages for modern supply chains, including large transport capacities, reliable planning and an additional transport option alongside road and rail.

    As specialists in inland waterway transport, we support you with our years of experience in the safe and efficient handling of a wide variety of goods – from containers, bulk goods and waste to project cargo, hazardous goods and transport in hydraulic engineering. We develop solutions that are consistently geared to your requirements and ensure reliable, compliant processing. We provide certified services for special requirements and comply with all relevant European directives. In addition, we offer a broad portfolio of services – from freight forwarding, storage and cargo handling to support with technical and organizational project tasks.

    Close-up view of stainless steel ventilation or exhaust pipes lined up in a row on a rooftop against a bright sky.

    Your Benefits

    Thanks to the large transport volume, inland waterways are a cost-effective way to transport goods. 

    Inland waterway transport is one of the most reliable methods of transport for time-critical deliveries and allows for precise just-in-time delivery.

    • Comprehensive service: Our team supports you beyond transportation—for example, with port agency services, customs clearance, insurance and other freight forwarding services.
    • Europe-wide coverage: Thanks to our dense network of branches, we transport your products reliably and across borders throughout Europe.
    • High delivery reliability: With Europe's largest inland waterway fleet, consisting of numerous company-owned vessels that are in service for our customers around the clock, we offer ship sizes and capacities for every transport requirement.
    • 200 years of experience: Our many years of expertise ensure smooth processes and tailor-made solutions for your logistics projects.
    • Regulatory compliance: We guarantee secure transport and comply with all European directives – especially when handling sensitive goods.
    • Certified quality: Through services in accordance with GMP, EfBV (German Inland Navigation Waste Ordinance) and other relevant standards, we ensure that even complex or particularly sensitive goods are handled reliably, in compliance with the law and with stable processes.
    • Stable supply chains: Clear processes and high-quality standards ensure transparency and reliability along the entire transport chain.
    Activation of Cookies required

    We provide videos via YouTube. By playing the video, you consent to the use of functional cookies and data processing by YouTube.

    Thumbnail of the video 'Image film Rhenus Port Logistics'

    One of Europe's largest inland waterway fleets

    Our fleet of different types of ships allows us to develop logistics solutions in inland waterway transport for a wide range of goods and tasks. For example, our bilge oil removal boats take care of theprofessional disposal of oil and grease-containing operational waste so that your fleet remains ready for use at all times. At the same time, our bunker boats on European waterways ensure that your cargo and passenger ships are supplied with fuel, lubricants and fresh water.

    A cargo vessel on a river, carrying stacked colorful shipping containers, with a cityscape
    Container transport by barge

    Containers can be transported efficiently and reliably on inland waterway vessels in the European river network.

    A yellow environmental service boat moving across still waters under a blue sky
    Bilge oil separator

    This specialized vessel is responsible for the disposal of waste oil, solid waste and oil-water mixtures.

    A long cargo barge transporting various types of goods along a river
    Push units

    Push units enable the transport of large quantities of goods by push boat and push barge.

    A tugboat navigating through a river, flying multiple flags, with an industrial background
    Bunker boat

    Our bunker boats, like the Rheintank 2, supply inland vessels with fuel and drinking water.

    A white passenger boat cruising along a river, with a scenic view
    Touring boat

    Touring boats are also part of the Rhenus fleet.

    Friendly call center agent who is talking to a customer

    Looking for a partner for inland waterways logistics?

    With our experience and expertise, we will find a tailor-made solution for you. Our experts will be happy to help you!

    Frequently asked questions

    Inland waterway transport refers to shipping on inland waterways – rivers and canals. Inland waterway logistics therefore includes the transportation of various goods via inland waterway.

    Inland waterway vessels offer high transport capacity and can carry large volumes of freight. Depending on the route, cargo and operational requirements, inland waterway shipping can provide a cost-efficient transport option. It can also help reduce pressure on road and rail networks.

    The duration of the transport depends largely on the distance to be covered. 

    There are almost no limits to inland waterway logistics – from bulk goods to general cargo, and from waste to GMP goods, virtually any type of cargo can be transported.