Freight News, Inland waterway

Rhenus unveils barge of the future

[ May 16, 2023   //   Chris Lewis ]

Rhenus Group unveiled a new concept for low-emission inland waterway vessels at the Transport Logistic trade fair in Munich in May. The logistics specialist says it is currently constructing two craft powered by a combination of a hydrogen fuel cell, the latest stage VI engines and lithium batteries, with a third at the planning stage.

They will consist of push-barge combinations, with one motorised vessel and up to three unpowered barges.

Rhenus says the vessels will be able to operate in the strong currents of the river Rhine, for example. By distributing the weight and using a new propulsion concept, the vessels will have a good floating position and can be deployed in water depths of just 1.20 m allowing them to continue operating even during extreme shallow-water phases.

Managing director of Rhenus Transport, Dirk Gemmer, said that the new vessels’ diesel-electric drive system require 30% less fuel than traditional vessels or as much as 84% if the fuel cell is used.

Tags: Rhenus