The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists in Europe. Rhenus offers its customers an all-round user experience through its third-party logistics or even warehousing solutions. Sustainable practices are a firm part of its corporate philosophy. In this connection, inland waterway shipping services are a sustainable means of transport for bulk commodities and containers etc. Rhenus now believes that the time is ripe to introduce future-oriented innovations within the inland waterway shipping sector.
Waterways connect a large number of different markets within Europe. Inland waterway services are the normal means of transport for dry cargo such as logs or cereals. However, inland waterway shipping is not only a solution that makes economic sense, but is also a climate-friendly means of transport and therefore an important matter for the Rhenus Group, which is making every effort to introduce forward-looking and sustainable solutions in its logistics services.
Rhenus believes that sustainability involves handling resources carefully and ensuring that they can regenerate naturally. Sustainability is therefore one of the most important factors for economic stability and long-term growth. Resources not only include those that are internal (human, social and financial capital), but also external production factors (goods, raw materials).
The company is careful to comply with social and ethical standards (employment and human rights) and promotes eco-friendly procurement practices. The annual certification by the rating platform, EcoVadis, which awarded Rhenus gold status in 2022, is proof of this. Rhenus is setting an example in the way that it conducts its business through numerous projects, as the logistics centre in Tilburg (Netherlands) demonstrates: it is one of the most sustainable logistics centres in the world. Its solar panels, toilets that are flushed using rainwater and the extremely well insulated façades ensure optimal energy efficiency, among other things.
The Rhenus Group has also set up a department that is primarily dealing with current issues, but naturally with those related to the future too. Rhenus is working in this field with some external partner firms, such as Panteia and Lean & Green, in order to achieve greater coverage. Rhenus believes that it has a clear responsibility to help shape future logistics operations. The logistics specialist is therefore devoting a great deal of energy and passion to the topic of green innovations. Teams are continually working in each business unit to further develop their concepts and technologies in order to offer customers even greater efficiency and value added. The operating units are involved in this process too – and together they develop, test and introduce tailor-made solutions, which are helping the logistics specialist to make even greater progress.
COMBINING COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS
However, the Rhenus Group is an international logistics specialist and finds itself confronted by conflicting priorities. On the one hand, the transport sector is largely responsible for consuming natural resources and emitting climate-damaging gases. On the other hand, logistics services form an absolutely essential part of any modern society. Rhenus firmly believes that cost-effectiveness and sustainable logistics operations do not contradict each other. This is why Rhenus is consistently pursuing the goal of reducing its own CO2 emissions and creating transparent transport and warehouse solutions. To meet this goal, Rhenus is relying on renewable energy sources, alternative drive technologies and multimodal transport solutions.
The inland waterway shipping concept provides a cost-effective and ecological alternative to road transport services here. Using more than 1,000 shipping units and capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes per unit, Rhenus transports an extremely wide range of goods in this way. Rhenus not only ships classic goods such as coal, ore and steel products, but also aluminium, animal feed, cereal products and minerals. However, the waterway shipments also include general cargo items such as beer tanks, dumper trucks, crane parts and windmills.
A NEW LOW-EMISSION FLEET
Rhenus will already introduce the first flagships of its new, low-emission fleet this year to provide sustainable inland waterway shipping services in future. Powered by hydrogen and electric batteries, the push-barge combinations will still be able to reliably cope with conditions on rivers, even if there is a strong current. The propulsion concept has not ever been used for these kinds of operations before and consists of a lithium-ion battery combined with the latest diesel generators. While the Rhenus Mannheim I+II vessels already have a fuel cell operating with hydrogen, the Rhenus Wörth I+II are H2-ready. It will be possible to replace their stage V engines with fuel cells at any time. Thanks to their innovative design, the push-barge combinations are able to operate with a draught of just 1.20 metres – i.e. even if water levels are extremely low. Emissions of CO2 and NOx can be cut by up to 72 percent through using the hybrid combination of drive technologies.
‘HANSE ECO’ VESSELS FOR SHORT-SEA TRANSPORT OPERATIONS
Rhenus is also continuing to develop its short-sea fleet. Rhenus and Arkon Shipping have jointly designed five new vessels for transporting goods near coastlines. Thanks to their optimized hull shape, they save approximately 20% in fuel compared to traditional vessels. The vessels also enable significant reductions in emissions of CO2 and particulate matter. The Hanse Eco vessels are equipped with electric motor support and waste gas treatment too. This means that they already meet the requirements of the IMO Tier III emissions standard, which will be compulsory for new marine vessels from 2025 onwards. The new ships will operate on short-sea transport services all over Europe.
RHENUS INVESTS IN RESEARCH AND ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS
The Group not only uses inland waterway shipping services, but other means of transport such as ocean, road, rail and air traffic. Rhenus therefore offers solutions for any kinds of logistical challenges so that other disciplines will open up where Rhenus needs to think along sustainable lines. Rhenus will permanently prioritize this subject and continually examine how the company can make contributions to promote green logistics. It is keeping its eye on technological and structural innovations. Rhenus Group employees are exchanging ideas at all levels and this involves communications between the different units. Further projects, which make a contribution towards handling natural resources carefully, will be generated from this process in future. In order to be able to introduce (innovative) strategies, Rhenus is making available financial and personnel resources both for research projects and also for the ongoing development of sustainability in its operating business.
Wherever possible, the company is equipping buildings with solar cells and is recycling waste. Rhenus is also calculating the transport emissions and is attempting to reduce the number of kilometres travelled with empty vehicles as far as possible. Rhenus is currently examining the possibility of equipping vessels with solar cells on their hatches too. The company also operates a large number of electric forklifts and trucks now — and aims to increase this figure rapidly in future.
ABOUT RHENUS
The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to €8.6 billion; 39,000 employees work at 1,120 business sites and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.