ENERCON has carried out its first inland waterway transport of steel tower sections using the newly built push barge Rhenus Berlin I. Working in partnership with Rhenus, the operation involved the loading of tower components for ENERCON turbine types E-138 EP3 and E-115 EP3 during night shifts at the Port of Emden. The 100-meter barge then proceeded through Germany’s inland canal system to the Port of Haren/Emsland, where the cargo will continue by road to the Emlichheim wind farm.

ENERCON Logistics explained that the route would have demanded substantial effort if handled solely by road transport. Although the push barge was originally designed for rotor blades—particularly those for the E-175 EP5, which can extend up to 86 meters—its modular structure allows the vessel to take on other components such as tower sections and nacelles.

Rhenus Berlin I consists of a push boat and a three-segment barge built to ENERCON specifications. This configuration enables the vessel to comply with waterway depth variations and narrow lock conditions within northern Germany’s canals, linking ports including Emden, Bremen and Hamburg with inland destinations that may face road restrictions.

ENERCON noted that the vessel fits into its wider multimodal logistics approach, combining inland shipping, specialized handling equipment and road haulage to meet project-specific requirements. Rhenus highlighted that inland routes can offer reliable scheduling and reduced traffic disruption when transporting oversized renewable-energy components. The company added that the successful voyage shows that these waterway options can support the movement of large project cargo within the German wind sector.