ITC Ventures into Inland Waterways for Commercial Transport, Emulating Amazons Success

This milestone was achieved through a collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), enabling the shipment of FMCG products via National Waterway 1.

Inaugural Voyage from Kolkata to Patna

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, a vessel carrying eight containerized cargo of processed food items, specifically Noodles from ITC Ltd, embarked on its maiden voyage from Kolkata to Patna. The vessel employed for this cargo movement is MV Rabindranath Tagore, boasting a carrying capacity of 16 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited’s Role

The vessel’s operation is being handled by Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shipping Corporation of India. This partnership underscores the commitment to developing inland waterways and promoting Inland Water Transport (IWT) as a viable mode of transportation.

Amazon’s Precedence and IWAI’s Commitment

In November 2023, IWAI had already made significant progress in this domain by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon India Ltd. This collaboration resulted in the successful movement of Amazon’s first e-commerce cargo through National Waterway 1.

IWAI remains dedicated to fostering the development of national waterways and transforming IWT into a more efficient and reliable mode of transportation. Under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, IWAI is actively working on enhancing the navigation capabilities of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system, thereby facilitating seamless passenger and cargo movement.

Impressive Growth in Cargo Movement

As of February 2024, the total cargo movement on national waterways had reached an impressive 122.21 million tonnes, reflecting a substantial 7.2% increase compared to the corresponding figures from the previous year. This growth trajectory bodes well for the future of IWT in India.

Collaboration Paving the Way for Future Partnerships

The collaboration between ITC Ltd and IWAI is expected to serve as a catalyst for similar partnerships in the future. This development opens up new avenues for the private sector to leverage the extensive network of inland waterways in India, unlocking immense potential for economic growth and efficient logistics.