Rhenus Deploys Multimodal Solution for Austria-US Move

By Simon West

Rhenus Group deployed a coordinated multimodal strategy to transport process equipment and plant components from Austria to the U.S., drawing on expertise from across its divisions to ensure successful execution.

Around 2,840 cubic meters of breakbulk cargo packed into 40 oversized crates, along with a dozen 40-foot containers, were delivered under tight deadlines by road, inland waterways and ocean to a major manufacturing facility in the eastern state of North Carolina.

The operation required “precise coordination, strict milestone planning and seamless teamwork among several Rhenus entities in Europe and North Americas,” the forwarder said.

The project began with overland pre-carriage to Krems, then delivery to Rhenus’s nearby trimodal logistics hub on the Danube where the cargo was handled, packaged and readied for export using specialized breakbulk and project cargo facilities.

From there, the cargo moved by inland barge to the Port of Antwerp, ensuring a seamless transition between inland waterway and overseas transport, the forwarder said. Rhenus Project Logistics oversaw the transatlantic leg to Virginia’s Port of Norfolk along with U.S. on carriage, before the shipment reached its final destination in North Carolina.

Throughout, the project division of Rhenus Logistics in Austria coordinated the operation as a central project hub, ensuring smooth communication and execution across all entities.

“Our contribution to this project highlights the strategic role Austria plays within the Rhenus global network,” said Thomas Doblinger, managing director of Rhenus Logistics Austria.

“With Krems as a powerful inland hub and our teams’ deep expertise in handling complex industrial cargo, we were able to deliver a solution that combines operational precision with sustainable transport modes. This project not only strengthens our local capabilities but also demonstrates how Rhenus Austria reliably connects regional industry with international markets.”

Moritz Becker, VP Director of Rhenus Project Logistics, said the project demonstrated the strength of the Rhenus integrated network approach.

“By leveraging multimodal transport, inland waterway solutions and seamless cross-border collaboration, we ensured safe, timely and efficient delivery for a highly demanding industrial project.”

Rhenus Logistics will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe 2026.

Photo: One of the crates being loaded on the barge before travelling the Danube. Credit: Rhenus Group