B4 teleportation… : supply chain and logistics

Certainly not ! Even if, a good supply chain requires a smooth flow of goods via various networks, it would be crazy to compare logistics to a long quiet river !!!! UNLESS….. unless we take into account the great challenge of the coming years towards the improvement of multimodal networks such as WATERWAYS.
Much literature exists about the subject on the web, yet, I prefer to pinpoint a few examples I read about during my “long quiet summer break”:
. Sainsbury’s intention to include the River Thames in its distribution network (according to the Financial Times, the company made a 1-week trial in July for the transportation of goods and came to the conclusion that goods could be moved faster by water that on London’s roads: “”The trial proved there are alternatives [to road] for us to be more efficient as a business, environmentally sustainable, and cause less congestion,” said Roger Burnley, Sainsbury’s supply chain director.)
. Auchan France group is the 1rst carrier in France to use the river network for about 60% of its importation of boxes.
. Renault’s decision to use waterways for half of the exportation (Europe excluded) of its boxes from the Rouen platform to Le Havre seaport.
. Monoprix uses waterways for 85% of its “great importation” of goods.
. and many more…

In France, the waterway networks represent about 1/3 of the combined networks (sea, rail, river, road) and traffic on river has been increasing by 50% during the last 10 years, this is quite promising for the years to come.