Milan, – ITG, in which M&G holds a stake, has announced the entry into service of a new fully electric container barge, the “MS Den Bosch Max Green”, which promotes European green logistics, for the transport of containerized goods along European navigable waterways.
This is a collaboration led by Inland Terminal Group (ITG) – a company in which M&G’s infrastructure team holds a stake, a transformative step in the decarbonization of European distribution networks and a concrete example of how major global brands are contributing to making the logistics sector cleaner and more resilient.
Already active in low-carbon logistics, ITG collaborates with international brands such as Heineken, Nike, Ikea and Toyota to reduce the environmental impact of their respective supply chains, by shifting containerized transport from road to water.
Traditional river transport already allows for CO₂ savings of between 50% and 70% compared to road transport; with the new electric barge, the savings can approach 100%. The electric barge operates using interchangeable battery containers, developed in collaboration with Zero Emission Services (ZES) and strategically supported by the Dutch National Growth Fund and the Province of South Holland. Each journey can replace the equivalent of up to 132 trucks on the road, and ITG’s electric operations are estimated to prevent the release of approximately 800 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere per year compared to conventional navigation.
As the main terminal operator in the BeNeLux area, ITG handles approximately 1 million teu of containers annually through a network of 17 terminals. The Den Bosch terminal, located next to the Heineken brewery, handled several thousand containers in 2024, many of which will now travel with zero emissions along Dutch waterways.
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The launch of the new electric barge follows shortly after that of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered barge, developed by ITG in collaboration with Nike and Future Proof Shipping. The long-term partnership between Nike and ITG ensures that millions of pairs of shoes are transported to the brand’s main European logistics hub, located at the Meerhout terminal in Belgium, integrated into ITG’s river corridor.
Andy Matthews, CIO of M&G’s infrastructure team, Infracapital, said: “We are proud to contribute to building essential and sustainable infrastructure across Europe – a powerful engine for decarbonization. Through ITG’s network of electric barges, we are supporting the transition to zero emissions in European logistics, while ensuring solid and lasting value for our investors. Projects like this show where institutional capital can have the greatest impact: uniting innovation, sustainability and operational excellence.”
Eduard Backer, CEO of ITG, added: “Thanks to the collaboration with ZES, with our customers, Nedcargo, and with the long-term support of M&G, we are realizing our sustainability ambitions – and those of our partners. M&G’s consistent vision and commitment to sustainable infrastructure have provided ITG with the financial solidity, operational experience and innovation capacity needed to bring this pioneering project to fruition. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to keep the Netherlands clean and accessible – a momentum that must continue.”
