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Smart, Clean, and Efficient
City Barging Optimises Water Logistics
Amsterdam is expanding. New homes, bridges, quays, and streets demand constant renewal and maintenance. However, the city centre offers increasingly less space for traditional construction logistics. Narrow streets, historic quays, and strict environmental regulations make heavy freight traffic less welcome. Yet, projects must continue.
The Challenge of Urban Construction Logistics
City Barging, a subsidiary of the Rutte Group, offers an innovative solution: transport via waterways. With electric push boats and unmanned transport barges, City Barging ensures that construction materials, waste, and heavy equipment reach their destinations safely and cleanly in the heart of the city. However, this dynamic operation introduced a new challenge: maintaining control over a rapidly growing fleet.
Traditional Management Was No Longer Sufficient
When City Barging started, managing a single push boat was straightforward. But the expansion to seven vessels and forty transport barges made operations complex. Where is each piece of equipment? Which barge is empty, and which is full? How can the right materials be delivered on time to the correct location without endless searches or miscommunication?
Previously, administration was maintained manually in Excel sheets. "But as soon as there was a change in the use of a barge, the overview was already inaccurate," says Willem Post, Maritime Manager at City Barging. "Sometimes we literally had to sail around to search."
City Barging needed real-time insight, reliability, and scalability.
GPS-Buddy as a Technological Partner
To achieve this efficiency, City Barging chose GPS-Buddy's technology. The decision was based not only on functionality but also on experience: Willem Post was familiar with GPS-Buddy from previous projects and knew that reliability and innovation go hand in hand here.
The solution consisted of two key components integrated into a single central platform:
- Gateways on Manned Push Boats
Each manned push boat was equipped with a GPS-Buddy gateway (XT4). These gateways continuously transmit (location) data and form the heart of the fleet management system on the water. - RFID Asset Tags on Unmanned Barges
The unmanned barges, which lack their own power supply, were fitted with RFID asset tags. These tags emit a signal that is picked up by the gateways on the manned boats when in proximity. The barge's location is then immediately updated in the system.
The result: a complete, up-to-date overview of all vessels and transport barges—always and everywhere accessible via a single user-friendly platform: Flowter.
Technologically Advanced
The combination of gateways and RFID tags was exactly what City Barging needed. In the search for a suitable system, many suppliers were ruled out: their solutions only worked with active transmitters that require continuous power. But on the water, barges sometimes remain stationary for weeks—without access to electricity.
"With GPS-Buddy, we now have a system that truly fits our reality," says Post. "These RFID tags have a battery life of up to eight years, even if they were to transmit a location every minute. No complicated installations, no maintenance concerns."
The technology is simple to use but revolutionary in effect. Thanks to the 'ping' mechanism, even barges that remain stationary for months are fully visible. No manual updates, no searches.
"These RFID tags are brilliant," says Willem Post. "No power needed, no complicated installations. Just a reliable system that does what it needs to do."
The Benefits for City Barging
The advantages of this approach are immediately noticeable for City Barging:
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Efficiency: No more manual registration or searches. Equipment is deployable more quickly.
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Cost Savings: Less lost sailing time and more efficient use of personnel and vessels.
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Reliability: Always up-to-date location information, even for unmanned barges.
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Environmental Impact: Fewer sailing movements mean less energy consumption, even with electric vessels.
- Operational Calm: Skippers and planners have a live overview without extra work.
As Willem Post summarizes: "The difference is night and day. Where we used to be busy figuring things out, we are now looking ahead."
Easy Installation and Reliable Service
The system's installation also went smoothly. The gateways on the manned boats were installed by GPS-Buddy during scheduled maintenance. The RFID tags for the unmanned barges were delivered and easily attached by the City Barging team using special adhesive.
"We link the tags ourselves to our vessel numbers in the system," explains Post. "It's quick and easy. And if we have questions, we can always call. GPS-Buddy's service is really strong: issues are quickly addressed and resolved. That builds trust."
The excellent accessibility of the support department and the possibility of remote assistance ensure that City Barging can continue operations smoothly, even if something goes wrong.
Sustainability and Innovation
The use of GPS-Buddy technology fits perfectly within City Barging's broader vision: emission-free, efficient, and future-oriented construction. While regulations around emission-free zones were still in development, City Barging took the step towards electric sailing and smart asset management.
This combination of sustainable transport and advanced technology makes City Barging a pioneer in urban construction logistics. Not a reactive adjustment to new requirements, but proactive innovation that inspires other companies.
Making a Difference
What sets GPS-Buddy apart is not only the technology but also how it aligns with practical needs. No complicated solutions that only work under perfect conditions, but robust systems that withstand the dynamics of real-world operations.
The combination of gateways and RFID asset tags offers a unique solution for sectors where equipment is mobile, spread over large areas, or temporarily out of use. Whether it's water logistics, construction sites, or infrastructure projects: having control over assets makes the difference between lagging behind and managing operations effectively.
Building a Smarter Future
City Barging demonstrates that innovation starts with vision. By choosing sustainable transport solutions and smart technology, they are ready for tomorrow's challenges. In collaboration with GPS-Buddy, they have not only improved their own operations but also raised the bar for the entire sector.
