Career
Irena Topalova
At the end of 2024, AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG successfully tested a water taxi service in Duisburg, Germany, to transport containers for one of its key clients. The containers had arrived from China by rail and required delivery to a storage area to avoid high demurrage charges at the terminal. A total of 24 containers were moved using this method.
Duisburg, home to Europe’s largest inland port, leverages its extensive network of waterways for both passenger and cargo transport. Small vessels, similar to water taxis, are used for targeted deliveries across the port and into urban areas. This delivery method allowed AsstrA to reduce reliance on road transport, decrease traffic in the city center, and avoid high last-mile delivery costs by transporting the containers via ferries on the Rhine River.
"The standard method is truck delivery, but AsstrA always strives to keep up with the times. The water taxi could significantly reduce empty runs and make existing routes more efficient. The ferries operate on a fixed schedule with no delays. The service is stable and safe. It was a new but very useful experience for us, which we can now offer to our clients," said Irena Topalova, Head of the China Rail Europe Division.
This initiative not only improves supply chain efficiency but also supports sustainability goals by reducing emissions linked to road transport. By integrating inland waterway solutions, AsstrA continues to implement practical, forward-thinking logistics aligned with global eco-transport trends.
