Rhenus India strengthens integrated logistics play with bold investments and digital expansion

What is the key vertical business units under Rhenus India?

Rhenus India operates through a network of strategic Business Units designed to provide comprehensive and customized logistics solutions to our customers. Our core Business Units include Air & Ocean, Customs Brokerage, Road Freight, Warehousing Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions and Inland Waterways. These units work in synergy to deliver Integrated Logistics Solutions, enabling us to serve diverse industries with flexibility and precision. Looking ahead, we are expanding into 4PL services and Automotive logistics, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and end-to-end supply chain management. At Rhenus India, our focus remains on being a trusted partner, offering solutions that empower businesses to thrive in a dynamic global market.

In terms of focus, size, revenues, and investments, how would you describe the relative importance of these verticals to Rhenus’ overall growth in India?

At Rhenus India, we see our Business Units as interconnected pillars of growth. Each Business Unit complements the others, creating a strong, integrated ecosystem that delivers holistic solutions to our customers.

Our investment strategy is clear, we will continue to invest in businesses that align with our customers’ evolving requirements, ensuring flexibility, innovation, and long-term value.

We have recently invested in Inland Waterways. This initiative will significantly enhance cargo movement efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.  There will also be investments in 4PL services and Automotive logistics, ensuring that our solutions evolve in line with customer requirements.

Can you throw some light on the Inland Waterway Business?

Rhenus India will introduce its Inland Waterways Transport solutions, barge scheduled services that will facilitate cargo transport on two Indian rivers, the Ganga River and the Brahmaputra River. These sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions will allow for seamless cargo movements across India and beyond. In this venture, Rhenus is expanding its existing expertise for port operation and inland navigation from Europe to India.

To start, Rhenus India intends to operate barge services on National Waterways NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route (IBP), with plans to gradually scale up to include other national waterways in the country. A combination of pushers and barges, to suit low-draft navigation in the waterways, will be used to transport both Bulk and Break-Bulk cargo across North & East India, North-East India, and subsequently neighbouring countries. With 1,000 vessels in operations daily on all navigable waterways in Europe, Rhenus will now tap into its Port Logistics experience, in particular in European inland navigation, as well as resources from its European Waterways fleet to further support India’s IWT sector. In Europe, Rhenus has been active in the inland navigation sector since its foundation year 1912, operating on many rivers across Europe. 

Rhenus has signed a MoU with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The formal exchange of the MoU took place in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, at his office on 6th May 2025 and at the Maritime Week Event in Mumbai in Oct 2025. The Minister’s presence underscored the government’s strong commitment to strengthening inland waterways as a key pillar of India’s logistics ecosystem. At Rhenus, we’re proud to support India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and lead the way in shaping the future of sustainable logistics and contribute to India’s logistics transformation.

Rhenus has a long legacy of working with the chemical industry. How has your client portfolio evolved in recent years?

Rhenus India has long been recognized as a chemical logistics expert, and we will continue to lead in this space. Our high safety standards, state-of-the-art warehouses, and experienced team make us a trusted partner for customers in this sector.

While this expertise remains core, we have significantly diversified our industry portfolio in recent years. Today, we serve a wide range of sectors including consumer goods, retail, engineering, automotive, and healthcare. This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting evolving customer needs with tailor-made solutions.

Earlier this year, we launched the Central Distribution Center (CDC) for IKEA in North India, catering to their northern market and strengthening our capabilities in retail and e-commerce logistics.

This combination of deep specialization and broad diversification ensures that Rhenus India continues to deliver integrated, innovative solutions across industries.

Rhenus is among the largest warehousing solution providers in India, with over 31 warehouses and 2.4 million sq. ft of space. Where do you stand today in your warehousing infrastructure journey?

We are in a phase of strategic expansion and modernization at Rhenus India. Our warehousing footprint is not only increasing in size but also in capability. Today, we operate advanced Warehouse Management Systems and are continuously enhancing them with automation and digital tools to improve efficiency. Digitization and real-time visibility for customers remain at the forefront of our strategy, ensuring transparency and control across the supply chain.

Safety is equally critical to us. We have introduced a dedicated Safety App to track near misses and other safety requirements, reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence and employee well-being.

Looking ahead, we have set an ambitious goal: to grow our warehousing footprint to 5 million sq. ft. in the next 2–3 years. This expansion will be supported by technology-driven processes and customer-centric solutions, ensuring that our infrastructure remains future-ready and aligned with global standards.

Could you highlight some of your latest facilities and the role they play in your integrated logistics network?

Rhenus India has recently strengthened its infrastructure with new facilities in Bhiwandi, Dahej, Sanand, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Chennai. These warehouses are strategically located in high-demand industrial belts and near major consumption hubs, making them ideal for distribution networks and consolidation points.  Each facility is designed to support smooth flow of goods, meeting stringent safety and compliance standards while ensuring operational efficiency. Their strategic positioning enables faster turnaround times, optimized transportation routes, and cost-effective solutions for customers.

In a highly competitive market, what would you say are Rhenus India’s key differentiators in delivering customer satisfaction?

People, technology, and HSSEQ (Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Quality) are the strong pillars of our growth and our unique differentiators. These pillars define how we operate and deliver value to customers.

Our people bring deep industry expertise and a customer-first mindset, ensuring that every solution is tailored to specific needs. Technology enables us to provide real-time visibility, automation, and digitisation across the supply chain, making operations more efficient and transparent. HSSEQ reflects our unwavering commitment to safety, compliance, and sustainability—critical for sectors like chemicals, healthcare, and automotive.

At the core of everything we do is the customer. Our strategy revolves around understanding and anticipating evolving customer needs. We actively measure Net Promoter Score (NPS) to track satisfaction and continuously improve. We believe in building long-term partnerships, and our business plans are designed with a long-term perspective, ensuring stability and shared growth.

This approach combining strong pillars with a customer-centric philosophy positions Rhenus India as a trusted partner delivering integrated, future-ready logistics solutions

With seven decades of presence in India, how do you see Rhenus’ long-term role in the country’s logistics sector?

Rhenus has been part of India’s logistics landscape for over 70 years, and our journey has always been about adapting to change and anticipating future needs. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and logistics is a critical enabler of that growth. Our long-term role is to be a trusted partner delivering integrated, technology-driven, and sustainable solutions that support this transformation.

We are investing heavily in modern infrastructure, automation, and digitization to create a future-ready supply chain ecosystem. Our goal is to expand our warehousing footprint to 5 million sq. ft. in the next 2–3 years, while continuing to strengthen our capabilities in Air & Ocean Freight, Warehousing Solutions, Road Freight, Customs Brokerage, and Supply Chain Solutions.

At the same time, we are building new verticals like Inland Waterways and expanding into 4PL and Automotive logistics. These investments reflect our commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and customer-centricity. India’s logistics sector is evolving rapidly, and Rhenus will play a pivotal role by combining global expertise with local agility, ensuring that businesses across industries have the solutions they need to thrive in a dynamic market.

What are your strategic priorities for Rhenus India over the next 5–10 years?

At Rhenus India, our vision is clear: we aim to be the most trusted partner for integrated logistics solutions in the country. Our long-term strategy is anchored on three pillars, people, technology, and HSSEQ (Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Quality), with the customer at the heart of everything we do.

As India’s logistics landscape continues to evolve, we are committed to investing in infrastructure, automation, and sustainable solutions such as Inland Waterways, which align with national priorities. We are also expanding into new verticals like 4PL and automotive logistics, strengthening our capabilities to serve diverse industry needs.

A key focus area is HR transformation and people development, as we believe our teams are the driving force behind our growth. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and empowerment, we aim to build a future-ready workforce.

Ultimately, our goal is to deliver operational excellence and build long-term partnerships that not only meet customer expectations but also contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.