The return of river freight to Toulouse: the Canal du Midi on the road to sustainable transport

In Toulouse, freight transport on the Canal du Midi will make a comeback in 2025. Led by River Connect and Les Alchimistes Occiterra, this ambitious project combines urban freight and food waste management, using electric barges.

An innovative project to restore the Canal du Midi

The Canal des Deux-Mers, a historic symbol of river transport, is about to regain its functional role in the heart of Toulouse. Following a trial run in 2021 and a call for projects launched by the Toulouse Metropolis and Voies Navigables de France (VNF), two companies have been selected to deploy this urban river logistics service.

River Connect, which specializes in 100% electric transport, will carry goods from the Quai de Lalande in the north of the city to the Port Saint-Sauveur in the city center. At the same time, Les Alchimistes Occiterra will collect food waste from restaurant owners and transport it to a nearby composting site.

Clean, efficient logistics

Transport will be based on electric barges, with the first ship expected to arrive in March 2025. This system will be accompanied by a robotized pallet loading system, optimizing operations.

Key milestones :

  • Outward journey: goods will be transported by river from the Quai de Lalande to the Port Saint-Sauveur. The last kilometer will be covered by cargo bikes.
  • On the way back : food waste will be collected in the city center and taken to the composting site located 500 meters from the Quai de Lalande.

The first tests will begin in April 2025, with a commercial launch scheduled for September.

A response to environmental challenges

According to VNF, river transport is five times less polluting than road transport. This project contributes to reducing our carbon footprint, while limiting noise pollution and congestion on urban road networks.

For those involved in the project, this initiative responds to " major societal challenges ". It embodies a transition to a more sustainable mode of transport, and returns the Canal du Midi to its original vocation as a transport route.

An inspiring example

Following the models already implemented in Lyon, Strasbourg and Paris, this project aims to strengthen Toulouse's position in sustainable urban logistics initiatives. It also illustrates the potential of urban canals to meet modern challenges, combining heritage preservation and ecological innovation.

With the return of river freight, the Canal du Midi is writing a new page in its history, as it enters a future resolutely focused on sustainability and logistical efficiency.

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