Inland waterways are an essential component of the future of freight transport and a key strategic mobility goal for the EU. Despite this, the potential of inland waterways like the Danube or the Rhine remains largely untapped, hindered by a series of limitations. Through a pilot project conducted within MultiRELOAD, a European consortium consisting of 22 partners led by Duisport, Europe's largest inland terminal, TTS Austria is proving that innovation in inland waterway freight transport can address a whole new market, making it accessible to more types of goods and a broader range of customers.
Introducing Pallet-Wide Bulk Containers
TTS Austria introduced a special innovation: pallet-wide bulk containers to overcome the order-size challenge. These containers offer flexibility, allowing smaller loads from multiple customers to be combined on the same vessel.
The process began about 100 kilometers from Vienna, where bulk materials were loaded into these containers directly from silos. The containers were then trucked to the port of Vienna and loaded onto a vessel, alongside traditional bulk materials. This combination of containerised and bulk transport maximised efficiency.
The shipment, supported by Romanian shipowner NAVROM, traveled from Austria to the Port of Lom in Bulgaria. From there, the containers were unloaded and trucked to their final destination in Sofia.
Key Learnings from the MultiRELOAD Demonstrator
- Innovating in a Traditional Sector
The successful execution of this pilot project proves that the inland waterway sector can embrace and implement new ideas. While there were some initial challenges, the results were clear: innovation is both possible and beneficial.
- Opening New Markets
This innovation allows smaller customers to access inland waterways. The ability to mix smaller loads, such as 100 tons of sunflower seeds, 400 tons of corn, and 50 tons of grain from different customers, shows the versatility of this solution. Importantly, it eliminates the need for large silos or storage facilities at the loading point.
- Versatility of Pallet-Wide Bulk Containers
One of the standout benefits of pallet-wide bulk containers is their flexibility. They can accommodate a wide range of bulk materials, including sand, fertilizer, agricultural products, and chemical granulates. In addition, they can also transport conventional palletized goods such as electronics, furniture, timber, and paper—much like a standard truck.
- Weather-Independent and Efficient Transport
Another key advantage is the ability to transport goods in a weather-independent manner. From countryside to destination, shipments can continue uninterrupted regardless of weather conditions, making inland waterway transport even more reliable for businesses.
The MultiRELOAD demonstrator has proven to be a groundbreaking solution for small and midsize customers. By allowing smaller loads to be combined and transported efficiently, this innovation opens up new possibilities for businesses that previously found inland waterways inaccessible. The flexibility of pallet-wide containers and their ability to handle both bulk and palletized goods, along with the weather-independent nature of the transport, make this approach a game-changer in the logistics industry.
Check out the video highlighting the key benefits of MultiRELOAD's demonstrator here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKQT6wlxKJo
