Exploring the Thames
A new study has revealed that the River Thames has an enormous untapped potential for handling light freight.
The ‘Light Freight on the River Thames’ report was commissioned by the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Port of London Authority and delivered by WSP, an engineering professional services consultancy. This report finds that the River Thames can be better used for large-scale light freight, such as deliveries of parcels, food, beverages and retail goods. Handling just 3% of the 700 million parcels delivered in London annually could make river freight competitive with traditional road freight.
The study was launched at the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s virtual roundtable: “We’re in a good place for greener freight.” In summary, the ‘Light Freight on the River Thames’ report concludes that it is an operational and financially viable proposition. (sh)
www.thamesestuary.org.uk/light-freight