Amazon India to use inland water transport to deliver its packages
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By: Pune Pulse
November 23, 2023
Pune: Amazon, the E-commerce behemoth, has entered into an agreement with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to enhance its delivery capabilities and encourage the transportation of goods via rivers.
In a statement, the ports, shipping, and waterways minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that the inaugural voyage of the e-commerce cargo vessel will commence from Patna to Kolkata in the near future.
The statement highlights the objective of this collaboration, which aims to utilize water transport’s efficiency and sustainability to enhance logistics, reduce environmental impacts, and foster economic growth. As per a report, water transport proves to be the most eco-friendly mode of transportation, consuming significantly less fuel compared to rail and road transport, with 18.5% and 91.6% higher fuel consumption respectively.
“The objective of this collaboration is to capitalize on the effectiveness and sustainability of water transportation in order to optimize logistics, minimize ecological footprint, and promote economic development,” stated Sonowal. “With the commencement of this service, the craftsmen, entrepreneurs and traders from India’s inland regions will have a chance to conveniently and affordably sell their goods in a broader market, both domestically and internationally, through an efficient means of transportation,” he further emphasized.
Under the Sagarmala project, the government has launched 113 projects worth ₹7,030 crore to expedite water transportation. As of now, 15 projects worth ₹1,100 crore have been successfully completed while 32 projects worth ₹3,900 crore are currently being implemented. According to a statement, this initiative will not only reduce Amazon’s transportation expenses but also create opportunities for other e-commerce firms to utilize India’s vast inland waterways.
The statement further mentioned that IWAI and Amazon are ready to investigate and execute cutting-edge solutions, catering to the changing requirements of the e-commerce sector and playing a part in creating an environmentally friendly and robust logistics ecosystem.
