Inland connectivity is reshaping how Europe's shippers move goods

The Rhine corridor shows what this looks like at scale. Duisburg, long a pivotal node in the region, has become Europe’s largest inland port. It now handles millions of containers each year, mostly by barge and rail. Its new Gateway Terminal has been designed for climate neutrality, a sign of how inland hubs are embedding sustainability into their DNA.

This expansion is mirrored across the continent. In the UK, daily rail departures now connect maritime terminals to inland hubs such as iPort Doncaster, widening the catchment for importers and exporters while smoothing quayside dwell times. DP World’s own Modal Shift Programme has improved the commercial viability of shorthaul rail out of Southampton, while our Carbon Inset Programme rewards importers with 50 kg of certified CO2- equivalent credits for every loaded import container, linked to lower-carbon biofuels on Unifeeder’s Northern European network. At the same time, P&O Ferrymasters, our European multimodal logistics arm, integrates shortsea, road, rail and warehousing into seamless end-to-end moves.

These programmes are designed to align incentives with outcomes: predictable transit times, cost efficiency and measurable emissions reductions. As a marine services business, we plan both sea and land legs, giving customers one integrated view of cost, reliability and verified carbon performance across modes.

Technology makes this progress tangible. With modern track-and-trace platforms, shippers can follow boxes from quay to depot in real time. That visibility not only helps planners spot and solve delays earlier but also enables procurement teams to meet compliance requirements and demonstrate progress against decarbonisation targets. Tenders themselves are evolving, with reliability, total cost and verified emissions increasingly assessed together.

The right answer is rarely one mode over another. It is the multimodal combination, the balance of sea, barge, rail and road, that delivers on service, cost, accountability and sustainability goals week by week. Limits will always exist, from water levels on rivers to rail’s shared passenger demand. Disruption is inevitable, but resilient supply chains distribute risk and keep visible alternatives ready.

That is what a well-run multimodal model does: it gives cargo owners the ability to flex between modes as conditions change. The upside is practical, more predictable flows, improved carbon performance and greater accountability. A flexible combination of ocean­ based and inland connectivity is not just a tactical response to today’s pressures. It is the foundation for smarter, greener and more agile supply chains across Europe, helping trade flow responsibly into the future.

Box out bio: Ganesh Raj (DP World)

Ganesh Raj is group chief operating officer, marine services at DP World. He has held several leadership roles in his 18 years with DP World, contributing to the company’s global maritime strategy. Passionate about driving business results through user-centric innovation, data-driven decision making and meticulous execution, he also continues to lead Unifeeder for Africa, Middle East and Asia as chief executive. Mr Raj has previously held positions as chief global network officer and chief executive and managing director in various regions including the Middle East, Africa, the Subcontinent, Australia and Europe. Prior to DP World, Mr Raj held senior roles at Maersk and P&O Ports. Fluent in English, Hindi and Tamil languages, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering (mechanical). He also holds a post graduate diploma in port management from the Netherlands and has undertaken the High-Performance Leadership Programme at IMD Lausanne. 

Riviera’s Maritime Decarbonisation Conference, Europe will be held in Amsterdam Schipol Airport, 30 September to 1 October 2025. Click here to register your interest in this industry-leading event.