Almost anything fits into a box
Container transport sets the standards for modern inland waterway traffic with robust annual growth recorded.  Containers have proved to be a cost-effective and seamless way to deliver fast-moving consumer goods inland.

Baxter is a convinced user of inland waterways for the supply of its main European distribution platform. Reliability is the main concern for this worldwide pharma-business, which has to deal with the tight deadlines and provision on-demand of the health care sector. Cost savings, environmental soundness and seamless all-in packages organised by the terminal operator are positive additional benefits. After the success with imports from Antwerp and Rotterdam, Baxter plans to introduce inland waterway transport for its exports soon. 

Carrefour shifted, in 2002, by way of a test a great part of its textile supplies to the water between Le Havre, Gennevilliers and Bonneuil. Positive results led to an extension of the project by routing products between Marseille-Fos and Lyon and by testing products other than textiles. The operation results in cost savings and helps the French retailer in meeting its emission targets. With traffic congestion increasing on the road link Rotterdam-Antwerp-Brussels, Carrefour now also ships its import containers for the Belgian market via inland waterway.

Auchan, another French hypermarket chain, ships 99% of its imports from outside the EU via maritime transport. 70% of these are loaded on barges in seaports such as Antwerp, Le Havre, Marseille and Zeebrugge and hence shipped inland. Auchan’s transport choice is determined by two factors – significant cost reductions and environmental-friendliness.

Ikea, the Swedish home furnishing company, managed to cut 70% of its C02 emissions by stepping up the use of rail and inland waterway transport. Containers from the Far East reaching Marseille, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Antwerp are shipped to the European distribution centres by water.