What is a barge?

What is a barge?
A barge is a lighter, smaller vessel used to transport goods on rivers, canals and inland waterways that cannot be reached by a larger (container) ship. There are different types of barges which are divided into classes. These classes run from class 0 to VII and from class V there is also a, b or c subdivision. For each class the maximum dimensions have been determined. This makes it immediately clear which rivers, canals and inland waterways are navigable for which classes based on draught and maneuverability. And which bridges and aqueducts are navigable. Class 0 is the smallest in size, Class VII the largest. In addition, there is a diversity of types of barges, each suitable for transporting specific types of products or goods. There are dry bulk cargo barges (for dry bulk like sand, minerals, steel, etc.) and barges carrying liquid cargo (for liquid bulk like chemicals).

Barges used for container transport load containers in a larger seaport (such as Rotterdam) and then unload them at a barge terminal situated on inland waterways and vice versa. Inland barge transport is considered a sustainable and efficient alternative to the increasingly congested (container) transport by road.

Inland Terminal
Rotra works closely with various inland terminals in the Netherlands, including Container Terminal Doesburg, for the pre- and on-carriage of sea freight shipments. This enables us to provide a sustainable alternative to container transport by road. Want to know more about our capabilities? Get in touch.