Shipping is the most efficient way to move cargo. Waterborne freight transport can provide environmental benefits and reduce road congestion and pollution.
Coastal Shipping
Shipping is the most efficient way to move cargo. Waterborne freight transport can provide environmental benefits and reduce road congestion and pollution.
Transporting cargoes by ship rather than by road has the potential to take 175 lorries off the road per ship. In London, four barges deliver 18,000 tonnes of aggregate every day, taking 900 lorries off the streets.
The UK has a large number of commercial ports and approximately two-thirds of the population live within 10 miles of the coast (and 95% within 30 miles), meaning that the UK is well-placed to take advantage of the commercial and environmental benefits of moving freight by water .
UK ports currently handle the largest amount of coastal shipping traffic in Europe. Growth sectors for coastal traffic include aggregates and construction materials, project cargo and container traffic.