The Freight Transport Association will be supporting Freight by Water 2018, an autumn conference dedicated to facilitating the greater use of water freight and tackling the issues facing the sector, organised by The Canal & River Trust, a charity governing over 2,000 miles of the UK’s waterways.
To be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Leeds on Wednesday 10 October, the one-day conference will celebrate the unsung hero of transportation network modes: inland waterways. Bringing together operators, freight carriers, logistics specialists and public bodies, the event will provide a unique opportunity to look closely at the potential of inland waterway freight transport in the UK and beyond.
Stephen Anderson, Chair of FTA’s Freight by Water – the UK’s official body for promoting the benefits of water freight as a commercially and environmentally sustainable mode – explains his involvement: “There’s never been a better time for businesses to explore waterways as a means of freight transport. With continued rises in fuel prices and the government’s push to reduce carbon emissions, waterways provide businesses with the perfect opportunity to reduce costs and environmental impact, while avoiding increasingly congested roads. Waterways should be an integral part of any effective multi-modal logistics strategy, but further investment in infrastructure is desperately needed for it to reach its full potential – this will be tackled during Freight by Water 2018.”
Alex Veitch , FTA’s Head of Global Policy, will co-chair the event and Stephen Anderson will offer an exclusive first-look at plans for a new operation to boost inland waterway freight use by 2020.
The free event will also include an optional visit to view a site earmarked for development as an inland port in Stourton, Leeds, which is under Canal & River Trust’s ownership. Linking to the Humber estuary, this could bring vital freight into the city centre and remove 200,000 tonnes of traffic from the roads.
For more information or to register for the event, please visit
