RiverSea International

Introduction

River-sea shipping — moving cargo seamlessly from interior rivers to open sea without trans-shipment — has shaped European commerce for more than two millennia. From the flat-bottomed barge of antiquity to today’s ice-class, double-hull multipurpose vessel, every era has refined the concept while preserving its core advantage: one ship, one journey, door-to-door. RiverSea International builds on this legacy, offering smart, sustainable logistics that shorten supply chains, cut emissions, and keep regional economies competitive.

The Dutch Beurtvaart Network

Around 1500 Dutch cities formalised the beurtvaart system — scheduled inland packets that agreed to sail even when not full. By 1765 Amsterdam counted roughly 800 weekly departures serving 180 destinations, an efficiency unheard-of elsewhere. These craft routinely crossed the Zuiderzee and Wadden Sea, proving that one hull type could master both river shallows and open waters.

Steam Power and the Industrial Canal Boom

The 19^th-century steam revolution swept river-sea shipping into the modern age. Britain’s first sea-going paddle steamer, the Comet, entered service in 1812, cutting transit times between Glasgow and the Clyde estuary. Canal construction followed: the Manchester Ship Canal (1894) let 12 000-DWT coasters berth in the heart of England’s textile capital, and towns from Ghent to Saint Petersburg deepened locks so steamers could bring iron ore upriver and return with finished steel southbound.

Wilson Mersey (1999) on the Waal — Wilson Mersey on river Waal — source: markprummel.nl

From Short-Sea to Modern River-Sea Shipping

Today, short-sea shipping — a large part of which is carried out by river-sea vessels — handles nearly 60% of all cargo processed in EU ports. Modern vessels range from 1,000 to 10,000 DWT and are equipped with hydraulically retractable bridges, telescopic hatches, and ice-class plating. They offer shipping companies a sustainable modal shift compared to road transport.

RMS Lagona (2000) on the Rhine — RMS Lagona on river Rhine passing Gotterswickerhamm — source: markprummel.nl

Baltnautic Case Study: Klaipėda to Continental Europe

Baltnautic Shipping Ltd. — founded in 1998 — grew from a single mini-bulker to a charter pool of 30 river-sea vessels transporting timber, steel, and agri-products between Scandinavia, German Oder ports, and deep-sea hubs such as Rotterdam. Each ship is ice-reinforced to at least 1A class and has an air draft below 11.4 m to pass under the bridges on the Kiel Canal.

Figaro (2003) on the Waal — Figaro passing Rossum on river Waal — source: markprummel.nl

Digitalisation and Future Innovation

The next efficiency leap is digital: electronic bills of lading, real-time depth sensors, AI-based trim optimisation, and shore power in river ports. Hydrogen and methanol-ready engines, plus battery-assist for port maneuvers, are already emerging. Once regulations allow, autonomous navigation on sparsely populated rivers is within reach.

Our Commitment and Vision

RiverSea International charters only Stage V engines, mandates e-documents for every booking, and invests in the digital skills of its crews. We build on centuries of craftsmanship and aim for a cleaner, more connected future.