Can city deliveries be made quietly, emission-free, and stress-free? Hamburg is testing exactly that. As part of the InnoWaTr project’s Freight Flow Coalition No. 3, the city launched its first pilot runs using fully electric boats on the Alster lake and canals.
The pilot was carried out by Logistics Initiative Hamburg and TOP Mehrwert-Logistik, in collaboration with beverage wholesaler Beckröge and shipyard Schiffswerft von Cölln, utilizing the electric vessel Cöllni. The first delivery – several pallets of drinks to a restaurant directly accessible by canal – went smoothly: fast loading, direct access, and no disruption to road traffic.
Why does this matter? Traditional truck deliveries add to Hamburg’s congestion, block bike lanes and sidewalks, and force drivers into difficult and unsafe unloading situations. By contrast, waterborne deliveries are quiet, efficient, and avoid conflict with other road users.
The project team now plans additional test runs at restaurants, bars, and rowing clubs along the Alster, collecting data to assess the broader potential. Early results suggest clear benefits for delivery times, driver safety, environmental impact, and the quality of urban life.
Hamburg shows that emission-free waterway logistics is not a distant dream but a practical solution – making city logistics brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable.
Walther Ploos van Amstel.