♦ The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed an agreement with global logistics major Rhenus Group to boost the inland waterways sector of India.

♦ The memorandum of understanding (MoU) facilitates Rhenus Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. to commence scheduled barge operations across key National Waterways (NWs) in India. 

♦ As part of MoU, Rhenus will introduce 100 barges in a phased manner in the national waterways while 20 barges and 6 pushers are to be deployed in the first phase, targeting the movement of more than one million tonnes of cargo annually by the end of 2025.

♦ Cargo movement has surged from 30 MMTPA in 2014-15 to 133 MMTPA in 2023-24, contributing to a cumulative movement of over 779 MMT in the past decade.

♦ is the nodal agency for National Waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.