Barge operators on the Rhine River have formed a firm to handle container shipments into the heart of Europe. Called the Rhine Container Line (RCL), it currently includes two Belgian, two Swiss, one French, four Dutch and four German barge-operating firms.
RCL has scheduled daily departures from Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam to major inland ports along the Rhine. Mannheim, Strassbourg and Basel are already equipped to handle containers.
To start operations, containers will be shipped on conventional barges. The partners in RCL are currently operating more than 1,000 barges.
RCL will offer shippers, forwarders and ocean containership lines a joint time schedule. The new firm will not carry on individual acquisition of cargo.