| Written by Mark Buzinkay
Cold Chain Operations on the Rhine
The River Rhine is a pivotal artery for European inland waterway transport, facilitating the movement of diverse cargoes, including refrigerated containers. These reefers are essential for transporting perishable goods such as fresh produce, frozen foods, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring they remain within required temperature ranges throughout their journey.
In 2021, container transport on the traditional Rhine reached 1.99 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), marking a 0.9% increase from 2020. However, this figure was still 2.8% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, indicating an incomplete recovery from the COVID-19 downturn. Several factors have contributed to this stagnation, including global economic slowdowns, periods of low water levels affecting navigability, and congestion in seaports leading to delays in inland shipping schedules.
The Rhine's significance is underscored by its substantial cargo volumes. At the German-Dutch border, approximately 200 million tonnes of goods are transported annually. This volume increases to an estimated 310 million tonnes when considering the Dutch section of the river. The Rhine fleet comprises about 6,900 vessels, including 1,200 pushed barges, 4,400 motor cargo vessels, and 1,300 tankers, collectively offering a transport capacity of 10 million tonnes. (1)
Despite challenges, there have been positive developments in specific regions. For instance, the Swiss Rhine transport reported a significant growth in container traffic, with a 17% increase in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in the previous year. This uptick reflects a robust demand for inland waterway transport services in Switzerland, highlighting the Rhine's crucial role in connecting landlocked regions to major seaports. (2)
However, the year 2022 presented notable obstacles. Container transport on the Rhine experienced an 11.1% decline in volumes compared to 2021. This downturn was attributed to a combination of geopolitical tensions, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, high inflation rates, and disruptions in global trade. Additionally, environmental challenges, such as significantly low water levels during July and August 2022, critically affected the efficiency and capacity of transport operations, leading to increased transportation costs and reduced cargo volumes.
The transportation of reefer containers on the Rhine is integral to the cold chain logistics network, ensuring that perishable goods maintain their quality and safety during transit. Advancements in remote reefer monitoring technologies have enhanced the ability to oversee conditions within these containers, such as temperature and humidity levels, without manual checks. This automation is particularly beneficial on river barges, where traditional monitoring can be challenging due to vessel movement and limited accessibility. Implementing such technologies not only safeguards the integrity of temperature-sensitive cargo but also improves operational efficiency and reduces environmental impact by minimizing spoilage and waste.
Ultra-Brag AG and Haeger&Schmidt Deploys 5G Reefer Monitoring
In a groundbreaking move for inland logistics, Haeger&Schmidt Logistics and Ultra-Brag AG have introduced cutting-edge 5G reefer monitoring technology to their Rhine-based container service, 'Blue Arrow Line.' The integration of Identec Solutions' Reefer Runner 5G system ensures real-time, automated monitoring of temperature-sensitive cargo, enhancing safety, transparency, and efficiency across the supply chain.
Operating between Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Basel, the Blue Arrow Line now offers a fully automated, 24/7 monitoring system for reefer containers across six inland vessels. This innovation significantly improves the reliability of cold chain logistics by providing real-time temperature, humidity, and power supply monitoring.
By deploying Reefer Runner 5G not only on their vessels but also at their terminals, Ultra-Brag AG and Haeger&Schmidt create an uninterrupted monitoring network from seaport to destination. Customers benefit from digital journey reports, granting them detailed insights into their cargo's conditions at every stage of the route.
Cold Chain Operations Meet Advanced Technology
Haeger&Schmidt has long been committed to sustainable transport solutions, and this latest investment aligns with their mission of reducing environmental impact while improving efficiency. According to Maik Bastian, General Manager of Intermodal at Haeger&Schmidt, equipping vessels with 5G reefer monitoring sets a new standard in secure refrigerated transport:
"By integrating Reefer Runner 5G, we ensure the highest safety standards and provide our customers with greater transparency and control over their cargo. This investment reflects our commitment to reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly logistics solutions."
Identec Solutions' Reefer Runner 5G is a plug-and-play monitoring system that seamlessly connects to reefer containers without requiring pre-installed infrastructure. Using 5G connectivity, it uplinks data to the cloud, ensuring uninterrupted remote monitoring across various transport modes. The automated alert system notifies ship captains and control centers of any deviations in reefer conditions, allowing for swift manual inspections and timely corrective actions.
Ultra-Brag Expands Reefer Monitoring with Reefer Runner 5G
Ultra-Brag has ordered Reefer Runner 5G for their alternate backup container yard to monitor reefers on demand during peak periods or when the primary yard is fully booked. By having additional Reefer Runner tags available, the company ensures seamless monitoring without manual intervention, enhancing operational efficiency. This flexible solution allows Ultra-Brag to maintain high standards of service during demand peaks, streamlining processes that previously required labour-intensive manual reefer monitoring.
"With 24/7 remote and automated monitoring enabled by the Reefer Runner system, we provide our customers with unparalleled visibility and control over their temperature-sensitive cargo", says Marco Ruepp, Head of IT at Ultra-Brag AG. "The 5G-based technology eliminates the need for pre-installed infrastructure, offering flexibility and ease of implementation across our operations. This innovative solution ensures real-time data access and proactive issue resolution, enhancing reliability and peace of mind for our clients. Reefer Runner has truly transformed our reefer logistics, aligning perfectly with our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional service."
A Model for the Future of Inland Cold Chain Operations
Beyond Haeger&Schmidt and Ultra-Brag AG, other Rhine-based companies are also trialling Reefer Runner 5G, signalling a broader shift towards digitized, automated reefer logistics. This revolutionary step in inland navigation reinforces Haeger&Schmidt's and Ultra-Brag AG's position as leaders in sustainable, high-tech logistics. By adopting 5G-powered reefer monitoring, they are not only ensuring the highest levels of cargo safety but also setting a new benchmark for the future of cold chain transport on European waterways.
"Reefer Runner 5G transforms refrigerated container logistics", says Jordi Asensio, Product Manager for Reefer Runner 5G, and argues that its plug-and-play design ensures minimal installation effort, reducing both costs and time. "With a low learning curve, logistics companies can quickly adapt the system to their operations. The flexibility of this cloud-based solution, powered by 5G, allows seamless usage across various transport modes. Additionally, companies can share real-time access with their customers, enabling them to monitor their cargo directly, enhancing transparency and trust."
FAQ
Why is the Rhine an important route for cold chain logistics?
The River Rhine is one of Europe's most vital inland waterways, facilitating transporting a wide range of goods, including refrigerated (reefer) containers. It connects major seaports like Antwerp and Rotterdam to inland regions, ensuring a steady flow of perishable goods such as fresh produce, frozen food, and pharmaceuticals. In 2021, total container traffic on the traditional Rhine reached approximately 1.99 million TEU, highlighting its significant role in supply chains. However, fluctuating water levels, port congestion, and geopolitical events have impacted cargo volumes. Despite this, demand for reefer transport remains strong, particularly in Switzerland, where container traffic through Rhine ports grew by 17% in the first half of 2022. This underscores the Rhine's continued relevance in European cold chain logistics.
How does 5G reefer monitoring improve the transportation of perishable goods?
Traditional reefer container monitoring on inland vessels has relied on manual inspections, which can be challenging due to vessel movement, limited accessibility, and crew availability. 5G reefer monitoring technology, such as Identec Solutions' Reefer Runner 5G, enables real-time, automated monitoring of critical conditions, including temperature, humidity, and power supply. By continuously tracking these parameters, ship operators and terminal managers can receive instant alerts in case of deviations, allowing swift intervention. Additionally, customers benefit from digital journey reports, ensuring full transparency and enhanced cargo security. This innovation is particularly crucial for pharmaceutical and food shipments, where minor temperature fluctuations can compromise product integrity.
What are the main challenges facing cold chain river transport, and how can they be addressed?
Cold chain river transport faces several challenges, including low water levels, which can reduce cargo capacity, congestion at seaports, causing shipment delays, and high operational costs for manual monitoring. External factors such as geopolitical instability and inflation have also led to fluctuating trade volumes. Technological advancements, like 5G reefer monitoring, help mitigate some challenges by improving operational efficiency and reducing cargo spoilage. Furthermore, investments in modernized infrastructure and adaptive logistics solutions can enhance the resilience of the cold chain network. Companies such as Haeger&Schmidt Logistics and Ultra-Brag AG are leading the way by integrating Reefer Runner 5G, ensuring greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in inland reefer transport.
Takeaway
Cold chain transport on the River Rhine is essential for moving perishable goods efficiently between major European ports and inland destinations. Despite challenges like low water levels and port congestion, technological advancements such as 5G reefer monitoring are revolutionizing logistics. Haeger&Schmidt Logistics and Ultra-Brag AG have implemented Reefer Runner 5G, ensuring real-time, automated monitoring for enhanced cargo safety, transparency, and efficiency. This innovation not only reduces manual intervention and spoilage risks but also improves sustainability in reefer logistics. The future of Rhine cold chain transport is digital, automated, and more resilient than ever.
Delve deeper into one of our core topics: Cold chain monitoring
Glossary
A container yard (CY) is a designated area within a port or terminal where shipping containers are temporarily stored before loading onto vessels or after unloading. These facilities serve as critical nodes in the logistics chain, providing secure and organized spaces for handling, stacking, and retrieving containers, thereby ensuring a smooth flow of goods through maritime shipping processes. (3) - see also: Cold chain shipping
Sources:
(1) https://inland-navigation-market.org/chapitre/2-freight-transport-on-inland-waterways-2
(2) https://www.portseurope.com/swiss-rhine-ports-shows-17-growth-in-container-traffic-in-first-half/
(3) https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained/transportation-and-freight/2024/07/02/cfs-cy-logistics
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