UK Canal Freight Under Scrutiny: 80% Less CO2 Than Road Haulage
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 08. 3.07
Only a couple of weeks ago we reported on efforts by UK supermarket giant Sainsbury’s to start delivering to some of its London stores by canal. Now we hear from the ever-trusty Guardian newspaper that the politics of moving freight by canal are under close scrutiny. A report just issued by Members of Parliament is calling on the government to give incentives to companies that chose water of rail or road freight. These incentives could possibly be in the form of carbon credits, given the fact that deliveries on canals can have up to 80% lower carbon emissions than road haulage. Currently, however, just 1% of domestic freight travels by water.
Apparently this is not the first time in recent years that this issue has been looked at, and in 2000 British Waterways, the entity in charge of Britain’s canal network, promised to double the amount of freight, but since then the amount has actually fallen. This is largely due to the fact that, as things stand, road and rail are more profitable. If the hidden costs of carbon emissions were to be somehow taken into account, however, canal-based deliveries might become much more common:
“The report into British Waterways calls on the government to review the opportunities for increasing freight by water and suggests a carbon credit scheme to help. It warns that the government was asking the agency to generate more income, yet expecting it to promote a generally unprofitable activity. "If the government is serious about transferring more freight on to the waterways, companies themselves require further financial incentives to make this move," the MPs add.”
For more international freight deliveries, and the varying carbon intensity of different options, check out our posts on shipping vs. airfreight, and shipping vs. airfreight revisited. ::The Guardian:: via site visit::
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The biggest reason that canal haulage is not used is speed ... the speed limit on the canal is limited to 4 mph ... yes, FOUR MILES PER HOUR! When walking beside the canal, it is easy to catch-up and pass a canal boat going at "full-speed."
Just curious... Is that a tug from the Erie Canal in NY? Any info on commercial traffic on that route or others in the US?
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Author's comment:
Yes, it looks like it is. To be honest, we were scrabbling around for an image of an obviously commercial tug, and found this. I don't have any info right now on commercial freight on the Erie, or other US canals, but it would certainly be an interesting subject. We'll do some digging and see what we can find out!
Its sad that the canal network isn't used much through out the country anymore, since its so efficient in energy terms. I think that boats can go a bit faster than 4mph on canals. if I am along side a boat I have to be on a pushbike to keep up.. Businesses are being far too selfish in thinkin profit only, since the roads are far too clogged up with lorries etc, and silly sod beachin ripped up too many railway lines in the 60s. Firms using lorries should bare in mind that diesel isn't cheap, and at 2mpg, and a thousand + for tax being considered good for most artics. With fossil fuels being on their way to drying up a boat, with a much higher mpg rate and less tax on emissions would be a cleverer option to me.
I know this is a bit of an old article now but does anyone know how I can find out if there is actually an opportunity here?
I have read lots of reports full of colourful promises of big grants available and new canal side facilities being opened in London but no actual information on any companies that are operating.
I would like to put together a business plan for moving waste or goods along the Regents canal and utilise some of this EU money that’s apparently on offer. There seems to be an endless queue of people telling me why I can’t do this, I think they’re wrong. It would be good to talk to someone that has some experience. Any ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received....