Opportunities now arise for inland shipping at Moerdijk

Inland shipping around Moerdijk gains ground through combination of cost, sustainability and capacity

Inland shipping is taking on an increasingly prominent role in Dutch logistics. In and around Moerdijk, sector parties say momentum is building for waterborne transport, partly due to rising costs in road transport and increasing pressure on infrastructure.

Development is fueled by a confluence of factors. New connections to the German hinterland, growing demand for sustainable transport solutions and changing regulations are causing companies to rethink their logistics choices.

Cost and congestion push toward water

A major driver is the introduction of the truck levy in the Netherlands, which is making road transport more expensive. At the same time, roads and terminals are struggling with increasing congestion, leading to delays and less predictable lead times.

This makes it more attractive for shippers to explore alternatives. Inland shipping offers a more stable and scalable alternative in many cases, especially for larger volumes and steady flows.

Infrastructure challenges also come into play. Maintenance on roads, bridges and tunnels, combined with congestion around major seaports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp, makes road transport less reliable.

New connections strengthen position of inland shipping

The attractiveness of inland shipping is also growing due to improved connections to the European hinterland. Routes towards industrial regions such as Duisburg and Ludwigshafen are gaining in frequency and reliability.

These connections allow goods to be transported more efficiently and sustainably between seaports and manufacturing areas. Higher frequencies and better coordination create a more reliable alternative to road transport.

Even closer to home, companies are increasingly opting collectively for waterborne transportation. By bundling cargo flows, economies of scale can be exploited and costs per container are reduced.

Sustainability accelerates shift

In addition to cost and capacity, sustainability is playing an increasing role in the choice of inland shipping. The rise of electric propulsion and zero-emission solutions is making waterborne transport more attractive for companies looking to reduce their carbon emissions.

New charging points and battery solutions are making it increasingly easy to deploy electric barges operationally. Thus, inland navigation is evolving from traditional alternative to full-fledged part of sustainable supply chains.

Environmental measures, such as improved ship degassing facilities, also contribute to a cleaner sector and strengthen the position of inland shipping as a future-proof modality.

Structural shift in logistics chains

According to logistics experts, the current development points to a broader trend: companies are spreading their transportation across multiple modes to reduce risk and increase flexibility.

Inland shipping benefits from its capacity, relatively low cost per volume and lower sensitivity to congestion. This modal shift is expected to continue in the coming years, especially as economic and sustainable considerations increasingly converge.

How Neele-Vat capitalizes on the growth of inland shipping

Neele-Vat also sees the role of inland shipping increasing within logistics chains. According to the company, the key lies in cleverly combining different modalities.
Specifically, this means:

- Multimodal optimization: Integration of inland shipping with road and rail transport for efficient flow.
- Bundling of volumes: Combining cargo flows to realize cost advantages.
- Network flexibility: Rapid switching between modes depending on capacity and disruptions.
- Sustainability steering: Using inland shipping as a means to achieve CO₂ reduction targets.
- Reliable planning: Use of fixed corridors and frequent connections for predictable transit times.

Inland shipping as a strategic alternative

Whereas inland shipping was previously seen primarily as supplementary transport, it is now growing into a strategic alternative within supply chains. Companies that respond to this development in time can benefit from lower costs, higher reliability and a more sustainable logistics model.

Considering a shift to inland shipping?

Contact our specialists who can give you insight into suitable routes, cost comparisons and optimal deployment within your logistics chain.