Commercial Boat Operators Association Newsletter Issue 2 March 2008 cboa news River Trent feasability study In this issue The East Midlands Development Freight Strategy.Increased use of p2 Ombudsman success Agency has commissioned a £100k the River for freight would also p3 Tesco uses water for wine feasibility study on increasing use contribute to the aspirations of the p4 Canary Wharf for Hanson of the River Trent to Nottingham. Department of Transport’s White p6 Joined up IWAC While the northern 81 km from Paper: The Future of Transport the Humber Estuary of the river is (2004).That outlines Government p6 Regional news tidal, the 33km above Crowell Lock policy to encourage the transfer of to Nottingham.constrains carrying freight from road to sea and inland 3 Additional market opportunities capacity because the river extends waterways. that would be opened up through enlarged navigation, particularly to through six locks of a limited size There are four inter-related and from the Humber ports and in Newark, there are some objectives to the key one of restricting bridges seeing how feasible it would be to 4 Locations for wharves to handle British Waterways will manage the encourage a shift towards more traffics for both the existing and project.The project team includes sustainable modes of transport in improved waterway, including the CBOA’s Tim West of Wynns.As part of the East Midlands.The team will feasibility of establishing an inland their brief the team will look at the investigate: port in the Nottingham area. possibility of developing an inland 1 Market opportunities for moving They will also be looking at the port near Nottingham. goods on the river within the potential for container traffic to and Glenn Millar, Economic Development Nottingham – Gainsborough corridor, from the Humber ports. Manager for British Waterways, told given the existing navigational “Obviously we hope the report CBOA News they would be looking constraints will identify how we can get more at both short term and long term 2 Options for removing those freight up the river and also better possibilities. constraints to improve navigation serve the East Midlands,” said Mr “We’ll be looking at what we need and allow larger vessels to reach the Millar,“that’s what we hope will to do to get more traffic and bigger Nottingham area come out of it!” vessels on the River Trent,” he said. At present there is no regular traffic on the non-tidal section from Newark to Nottingham. Most of the tidal traffic involves moving aggregatesfrom Bestthorpe Pit, nearNewark to Humberside and West Yorkshire.In2007 this amounted to some 200,000 tonnes. The potential for more extensive use of the River is recognised in the East Midlands Development Agency’s Regional Economic Strategy and the East Midlands Regional Assembly cboa news | march 08 page cboa news | march 08 page
From the chairman waterside firms who could transfer Stobarts to use MSC? Tesco takes to the water goods from congested roads to an Until now Tesco’s New World wine international logistics company Stobart Group, the logistics Tesco has become the first major UK this to 3,500 loads a week during shipments have arrived in the seeking CBOA’s advice on moving providers, are to return the Port of retailer to transport freight regularly 2008.” UK at various southern ports by more than 100,000 tonnes a year Weston to a fully functioning bulk by canal.They are ferrying wine in Meanwhile Sainsbury is also ship before being driven to the from West Yorkshire to the Thames shipping and coastal feeder port. containers by barge from Liverpool considering moving some of its Manchester bottling depot.Each by water: these show we are getting And a spokesman told CBOA News: to Manchester via the Manchester goods around London by barge. 20ft container takes one truck off our message across. Not to mention “We’ll be looking at a whole range Ship Canal.And the venture has Speaking on the Today programme the road. the Olympic Lock! of services options because the port proved so successful that a Alison Austen, Sainsbury’s head spokesman told CBOA News they The scheme has won the support CBOA is playing a significant role obviously lends itself to using the of Environment, said they had are currently looking to move more of Sea and Water, the independent in this. We are part of the steering Manchester Ship Canal.” carried out a successful trial taking goods by barge. pressure group lobbying to groups for the Birmingham and The Department of Transport made a products from a depot in Charlton to maximise the use of Britain’s Trent studies. We meet senior DfT Harbour Revision Order for the port He said Irlam Wharf (on the outskirts Wandsworth. waterways for freight transport. and BW officials. The Highways that will come into effect at the end of Manchester) is ideally situated “We think that we could take this “Play to your strengths and Agency consults us.We have close of February. The order also appoints to store and move goods to Tesco’s The initiative resulted from a out to over a dozen stores in Central emphasise the positive” is good connections with many other Westlink Holdings Ltd, a wholly Middlewich depot. partnership between Tesco, Salford- London from the Wandsworth wharf business practice and one we in water freight groups, including owned subsidiary of the group, as Although the launch was delayed based importers and bottlers and that means that we could CBOA must remember. So what the industry-led water freight the statutory port authority for the by 4 weeks – bad weather held Kingsland Wines and Spirits and the probably save 360,000 km (of road are our strengths and how do we promotional group Sea and Water. Port of Weston. up the arrival of the barges from co-operation of Peel Ports who own transport) every year,” she said. capitalise on them? both the Manchester Ship Canal and Now we must ensure planning Following last year’s merger with Amsterdam and they had to shelter Interviewer James Naughtie then the Port of Liverpool. We know that water freight is the initiatives are followed up. It the Westbury Property Fund Ltd the at the Isle of Wight - in the 10 weeks went on to ask Simon Salem, best ‘green’ transport mode, with is striking that Yorkshire and group – famous for their fleet of between launch and Christmas, Kingsland supply chain director Marketing director of British capacity to spare.And recent signs Humberside where the opportunities Eddie Stobart long distance lorries Tesco delivered 30 containers a Michael Forde said a corner of their Waterways, about this “nice little that many others share these views should be at their greatest does not - became operators of one of the week.That is equivalent to 9.5 production site is only 50 yards from bit of PR for the waterways”.In are encouraging. feature in the list above. Will the UK’s largest road haulage fleets and million 75cl bottles of wine.The the Manchester Ship Canal “and we reply Mr Salem said the Sainsbury’s From Tesco’s use of the Manchester Government’s forthcoming White a specialist rail freight services. The move to transport wine by water wanted to explore the idea of using idea ticked the three main boxes of Ship Canal to Transport for London Paper on Sustainable Transport give revivedport will enable them to bring took 30 heavy lorry journeys a week this great historic waterway.” getting freight onto the waterways: off Britain’s congested roads, cutting wanting to safeguard wharves on that extra needed push? goods from the south by coastal Tesco Transport Director Alex Laffey -regular traffic London’s canals; from Birmingham ship to customers in the north. carbon emissions by 80%. John Dodwell, Chairman CBOA told CBOA News: “The movement -a wide waterway Council’s consultants identifying 80 They already operate a train service On arrival at Manchester the from road to the ship canal has been with Tesco from Grangemouth to containers of wine from Australia, a seamless process, maintaining the -their willingness to go along with Ombudsman to the rescue Daventry, aided by DfT grants. California, Chile and Argentina excellent service we deliver into the partners like the Port of London Authority to get the investment to When a barge operator on the River when required, BW was initially “As people are getting more are then transported to a bottling Irlam bottling plant. pay extra costs. Severn feared not being able to start unwilling to commit to dredging concerned about the environment site less than half a mile away. “The ship canal has enabled Tesco a contract because the River was for a suitable level for commercial they want to reduce road miles,” the There they are packed for Tesco to remove circa 2,500 loads off the not being maintained to a sufficient traffic because of cost, despite spokesman said.“So by getting off supermarkets across the country. road per year and we aim to grow depth he turned to the Waterways its statutory obligation to do so. the roads and onto rail and possibly Ombudsman.In a judgement worthy They appeared to state they would other forms of transport we’ll be of Solomon the Ombudsman approach the Waterways Minister for helping our customers by reducing succeeded in satisfying both British an Parliamentary Order to remove carbon emissions.” Waterways – and ensuring the their obligation. operator could win his contract. However when pressed by the “I saw no benefit in pressing British Ombudsman to give the operator Waterways to dredge the river until the commitment he needed, he was ready to use it regularly BW reviewed their position “at (especially as I understood that it the highest level” and told the could silt up again quite quickly),” Ombudsman they would dredge the Ombudsman said.However, when the barge operator was ready when the Ombudsman asked BW to to start regular traffic. undertake to do the dredging work See also ombudsman advice on p5 Proposed site for the redeveloped port cboa news | march 08 page cboa news | march 08 page
Hanson’s Canary Wharf Press watch Complaints about British Waterways
Hanson’s floating concrete batching second plant was brought in which BBC Look North If you have a complaint about British There are some restrictions on a failing by British Waterways she 3 plant is now well established in the produced 91,000m in 18 months. Bill Scott’s takeover of Burton Waterays then you need to know what complaints the Ombudsman can recommend action (including South Dock of West India Docks and A further three high rise Stather Wharf on the lower, tidal part about the Waterways Ombudsman. can consider: complaints must compensation) to put things right is being supplied with aggregates developments in the City of London of the River Trent attracted attention. Following major improvements to be specific, must be about and British Waterways have to act by water.On average, BW Docklands were also supplied from the wharf The item talked about his plans for the Ombudsman scheme, it can now maladministration or unfairness on her recommendations. is accepting 4,000 tonnes of plant, including the prestigious 42- the resurgence of barge trade in the consider complaints from businesses which have caused the complainant The Ombudsman makes an impartial material each week, which is above storey Swiss Re building, designed area. with an annual turnover of less than an injustice,must have been made judgement on each complaint she the original prediction and can be £1million. to British Waterways within three by Sir Norman Foster Show House receives.Inevitably she does not attributed to Hanson’s success in years of the action complained The plant was taken away for This housebuilders publication The first thing you need to do is to uphold all complaints. However as obtaining concrete supply contracts about and must be made within refurbishment in 2004 after carried a story on Medway based use British Waterways’ own formal a result of one recent complaint by in the area. complaints procedure. To do that six months of completing the a commercial boat owner, which supplying more than 600,000 cubic plasterboard manufacturer Knauf complaints procedure. Full details Construction materials specialist metres of concrete for high rise Drywall successfully completing a you either need to write to the she upheld, British Waterways have Hanson operates one of the UK’s local general manager or to the are in the information section of the agreed to carry out certain dredging construction work – mainly to the test run on the Thames to prove that Ombudsman’s website. only floating concrete plants in the Heron Quay complex. It returned to building materials can be moved external relations manager at their which previously they had refused South Docks of West India Docks in the Docks in November last year safely and effectively by water to head office in Watford: there are But if you are not sure whether the Contact details more details on British Waterways’ Ombudsman could consider your the heart of London. The concrete after Hanson won further contracts the Olympics site in east London.It Ms Hilary Bainbridge – Waterways website.But if you are still not complaint then contact her to check. batching plant supplies ready-mixed to supply concrete to the continuing saved them some 1,400 road miles Ombudsman satisfied when you have completed There is no charge for using the concrete to high-rise developments developments at Canary Wharf. and the company expected to see a PO Box 35 in Canary Wharf. both stages of British Waterways’ Ombudsman service, and you do not Hanson is one of the world’s largest marked reduction in carbon dioxide York YO60 6WW And because it is supplied with raw emission.(Editor’s note: we gather complaints procedure you can then need a solicitor. If the Ombudsman suppliers of heavy building materials approach the Ombudsman. thinks you have suffered because of Tel: 01347-879075 materials by barge along the river, to the construction industry, they have since been awarded a it reduces significantly the number producing aggregates (crushed contract to supply the site. The IWAC calls for joined-up thinking of truck mixers, cement tankers and rock, sand and gravel), ready-mixed Olympic Delivery Authority has aggregate lorries coming into the and precast concrete, asphalt and said it wants 50% of construction IWAC wants more money and the Government’s policy of reducing report says. site by public roads. cement-related materials and a materials to arrive by water or rail) joined-up thinking for inland carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. IWAC’s policy states it supports the The original plant was based on land range of building products including Waterways World waterways freight Noting a view held by others that increased use of inland waterways but after 18 months was moved to a concrete pipes, concrete pavers, Transport for London is The government’s own advisory because we can use the coastline for freight transport.It recognises the floating pontoon on the dock as the tiles and clay bricks. commissioning a study to identify committee on inland waterways to transport freight between ports environmental advantages in terms land was designated for building. The company is part of the sites that can be developed for says more – and more publicity for there is little opportunity nor need of reduced emissions of carbon In view of the volume of concrete HeidelbergCement Group, which waterborne freight in the Greater – grant aid for infrastructure and to develop freight transportation on dioxide and reduced road congestion needed for the development of employs 70,000 people across five London boundary area.The study craft is needed so the full potential inland waterways, the report quotes and noise nuisance.It is therefore Canary Wharf – up to 250,000 continents. HeidelbergCement is will determine the facilities needed of waterways for freight can be researchers from the Tyndall Centre recommending: cubic metres a year at its peak – a the global leader in aggregates and for the various categories of realised. And they are calling for for Climate Change Research who - better promotion of waterborne has leading positions in cement, water freight business, such as improved cooperation between all challenge that view.They say that freight construction materials, aggregates, relevant departments to ensure the moving freight by road produces concrete and heavy building - the UK and Welsh Assembly recyclables, waste, fuel and UK and Welsh Assembly government emissions of 0.08 tonnes of carbon products. governments should make a study container traffic.It will involve 3 policies for inland waterways are for every freight tonne-kilometres of the opportunities for and barriers waterways authorities: the Port implemented in a coordinated way, whereas moving freight by water to increasing freight by water and of London Authority for the tidal to encourage companies to choose produces only 0.02 tonnes. Thames below Teddington, the producing recommendations that the water option. “It is clear from examples of Environment Agency for the non- can contribute to reducing the UK’s The Inland Waterways Advisory successful inland waterway traffic tidal Thames upstream of Teddington carbon footprint Council published ‘Decreasing our in the UK and elsewhere in Europe and British Waterways for the - greater adherence to existing carbon footprint: moving more that our larger inland waterways can remainder. planning policies promoting the freight onto the inland waterways provide a viable and environmentally use of waterways for freight and Meanwhile Work is progressing well of England and Wales’ in January.It friendly means of transporting stronger support for waterborne on the new Olympics lock in Prescott says that encouraging companies to freight and that such freight freight in future planning policy Channel at Bromley by Bow. use waterborne freight could make operations can co-exist in harmony statements more press stories on p 6 a useful contribution to achieving with other waterway uses,” the cboa news | march 08 page cboa news | march 08 page
Press watch Regional roundup Tesco’s move and leaves for Amsterdam again on the initiative to extend a commercial Yorkshire Hull CBOA champions members Tesco’s decision to ferry wine by freight service from Upton-upon- Wednesdays. Barge operators working on the Hull-based operator John Dean has 1 East Midlands: the disbanding of barge from Liverpool to Manchester Severn to Gloucester being thwarted Coastal Shipping Lafarge aggregates traffic from bought several of the LASH barges BW’s central freight unit and the lack (p3) attracted much attention from when part of the canal needed for a The French waterways authority Besthorpe on the Trent (north formerly used to bring grain from of knowledge and expertise of staff the press, ranging from the expected barge to lie along a wharf was filled Voies Navigables de France (VNF) of Newark) to Whitwood (near the continent to Selby via the now in the remaining business units led (IWA Waterways) to the Today in with waste from the Gloucester reorts that coastal shipping in the Wakefield) suffered unusual delays scrapped mother ship.The Selby to delays in Humber Barges being programme on BBC Radio 4. roadworks bypass. Rhone-Saone basin increased by last summer.Initial cause was mill owners showedkeen interest in able to reply to a traffic enquiry The Guardian International Freighting Weekly 15% last year to 1,116 million the theft of copper cabling on restarting the waterborne traffic; we abouta potential 10,000 tonnes The Environment, Food and Rural Goole can become the UK’s Duisport, tonnes.This is despite the fact that the conveyor belt that brings the understand barge movements began per year of imported stone from Affairs select committee is urging says this publication.In an interview to meet requirements for using the aggregates from the quarry to the again last year a re-opened wharf on the lower the government to consider with Peter Aarosin, CEO of RMS river, coasters must have someone wharf. Having been replaced, it Trent to Nottingham.CBOA’s David introducing financial incentives Group and MD of Danbrit Shipping, aboard who speaks French and has was stolen again – and again. This Thames -green for go Lowe wrote 3 times to 3 different for businesses to move freight by editor Martin Roebuck notes the a certificate of capacity for inland resulted in a 5 week period when BW-nominated freight champions water rather than road or rail, the time has come for the UK to develop shipping.Many coasters therefore loading could not take place. seeking information about unloading online Guardian reports. It reports its own version of Duisberg’s employ river pilots, who charge facilities and the toll and got no When this had been dealt with, that just 1% of domestic freight is intermodal facilities on the Rhine. anything up to 7,000 euros for a trip reply.However, a subsequent there were then major floods in transported on canals and rivers Mr Aarosin says Goole could be the up and down to Chalon-sur-Saone. complaint to the chief executive the rivers Aire and Calder. So when despite the fact that carbon dioxide catalyst.Despite draught limitations, In addition, because the Rhone is not worked and the information was barge traffic resumed, silting on the emissions from coastal and inland (potential feeder operators want 350 classified as an international river eventually received…2 months Calder meant they could not get shipping are 80% lower than those teu) he sees scope for shipments of (unlike the Seine), VAT has to be paid later! through at least one of the bridges from road haulage. brands such as Per Una or George at on fuel. and there was damage to the 2 Aire and Calder Navigation: While not specifically mentioning Asda to come right upriver, closer to Locks on the Rhone are managed by downstream weir from a large tree BW and CBOA worked together waterways, another piece in the the distribution centres. the Compagnie Nationale du Rhone washed down by the floods. British to improve an issue concerning Guardian reporting on carbon pricing Steel Engineering is using the River (CNR).They were responsible for the Waterways helped out by offloading alleged water leaking into a lockside said that in theory the ‘shadow Cart to transport huge steel spools, canalisation of the river to produce to dredging hoppers so the barges cottage caused, the owner said, price for carbon’ of £25.50 a carbon each weighing 80 tonnes, for the electricity. could get through and then brought by barges colliding into the lock. tonne would create a bias against first leg of their 1,000km journey Yorkshire Post in dredging equipment to provide a CBOA’s Noel Tomlinson and BW’s roads (and carbon-emitting power from Westway Industrial distribution In its Country Week section the longer term solution. Stuart Mckenzie visited the place, stations).That price was set so the park in Renfrew around the coast of paper investigated whether the BW beefed up the fendering and government could meet its policy Scotland to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Leeds/Liverpool Canal – “once the Greater London instigated a monitoring programme, to stabilise carbon emissions at It’s the first time the river has been M62 of northern England: - could Noel reminded barge captains to Transport for London is An ex River Lee lighter set off in between 450 and 550 parts per used for commercial traffic for at once more transport freight to take more care, BW then found the commissioning a study to identify style on her first run by having million carbon as recommended in least 20 years. The local council ease traffic congestion and reduce general boating skill around the sites that can be developed for Olympics oarsman Sir Steven review conducted for the Treasury by invested in lift bridge renovations so Britain’s carbon emissions.” lock had improved and asked Noel waterborne freight in the Greater Redgrave pour the traditional libation Sir Nicholas Stern. the laden barges could get pastThe to thank all the barges captains for Roadtransport.com London boundary area.The study of champagne under her bows and Daily Telegraph spools will be used by the oil their cooperation. The online version of Road Transport will determine the facilities needed naming her Green Heart.She’s the News that British Waterways industry for laying pipes. carried a piece quoting CBOA on for the various categories of first barge to make the inaugural run 3 Staffs and Worcs: Lack of had disbanded its central freight Lloyds List the apparent watering down of the water freight business, such as from a new six acre site at the Port dredging between Whittington marketingteamtriggered a A weekly barge shuttle service government’s policy to move large, construction materials, aggregates, of Tilbury.The site is the initiative and Debdale locks was causing double spread feature on freight between container terminals in the abnormal freight loads by canal in recyclables, waste, fuel and of the Green Barge Company who problems but thanks to CBOA’s John on canals in this publication. ports of Amsterdam and Strasbourg favour of road haulage (see p…)The container traffic.It will involve 3 have developed it to transfer freight Jackson intervening it’s now better. Noting that canals are the most has begun.It’s the first time such a FTA disagrees, arguing that any waterways authorities: the Port destined for the Olympics site at John got in touch with BW who said environmentally friendly way to service has been offered between move to increase congestion on the of London Authority for the tidal Stratford by barge. if they could find extra funding then move goods, it quoted the dismayed Upper Rhine and Amsterdam roads would not be in the Highway Thames below Teddington, the First load was eco sand and Green extra work might be possible – it reaction of several organisations exclusively and is operated by Agency’s interests.A Department Environment Agency for the non-tidal Heart was scheduled to return with was – so they asked for advice on and champions to BW’s actions, Barge Company Amsterdam. for Transport spokesman said the Thames upstream of Teddington and timber for recycling.The company where to dredge.BW discovered that including CBOA member Graham It leaves Amsterdam on Fridays, consultation was aimed at clarifying British Waterways for the remainder. has already increased its fleet and one of the problems was caused Thompson of Thompson River loads in Strasbourg on Mondays how the policy was applied. now has 3 tugs. by an engine, dumped in the canal Transport.Mr Thompson highlighted since the previous dredging. cboa news | march 08 page
CBOA officer contacts CBOA AGM Shallows warning
Chairman The Annual General Meeting was At least one barge operator has run John Dodwel held on 17 November 2007. John severely aground in the aftermath of P O Box 38479, London SE16 4WX Dodwell gave his chairman’s review flooding and consequent silting on Email: [email protected] of the year and Peter Hugman, as the River Trent.It left a silt bar just Secretary Treasurer, presented the accounts, below Cromwell Lock where barges David Lowe which were approved; subscription turn round. Geoff Wheat, Operations 7 Carlton Court levels were also approved. John director of Humber Barges, noted a Ossett, West Yorks WF5 9DH Jackson reported on stoppages and water level of more than 8ft when Email:[email protected] maintenance matters, including he brought freight barge “FUSEDALE whether dredgings put on the bank H” to load aggregate at Besthorpe Treasurer stayed there. Nicholas Hill, Paul Quarry in January.This meant that if Peter Hugman Ayres and Andrew Burge were re- he went empty to Cromwell to turn 49 Hendre Street elected to the committee. Richard to go downstream to the quarry jetty, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 2HY Horne of Phoenix Canal Carriers he ran a great risk of being swept Email: [email protected] asked about how British Waterways’ past the jetty without being able to Parliamentary, regional and local staff liaised with planners and tie up. So he loaded at the jetty with government matters Rupert Smedley asked about MCA the barge facing upstream, loaded Tim West matters. At a committee meeting and then went up to Cromwell to 2 High Street following the AGM, John Dodwell, turn round. Eccleshall, Stafford ST21 6BZ David Lowe and Peter Hugman were Loaded to 8ft.2in. at the stern and Email: [email protected] elected as Chairman, Secretary and 7ft.6in. at the bow; at which draught Northern Region chairman Treasurer respectively. he normally swings loaded without Noel Tomlinson any problem, with the stern adjacent 100 Lime St to the dolphins below the lock (in Hull, North Humberside the navigation channel), he ran HU8 7AR severely aground.This was despite Email: [email protected] the fact Humber Barges had been Stoppages and maintenance complaining about siltation for some matters time. John Jackson “Until this area is dredged out and PO Box 4939 maintained,” he says, “I feel that Trysull, Wolverhampton WV5 7WY British Waterwaysshould be quite Email: [email protected] aware that the corollary of this lack We are one of the leading authorities of dredging by British Waterways on moving goods off the road and on to is to push the barge operators into water. Our clients and contacts include industry, national, regional and local a situation of much greater risk at government. Besthorpe Jetty.” • How the use of water freight, both Humber Barges have written to BW water and sea freight advisory services inland and coastal, can help solve logistics problems who say they will do something • How to obtain grants for the capital about this shortly. costs of moving freight onto water • How to resolve cargo handling problems between land to water • How to access difficult urban area Tel | Fax: 020 7231 6247 building sites [email protected] Editor: Pamela Mounter Water freight can be cheaper than road, Rolandon Water and Sea Freight it beats urban congestion and is the most Design: Greendown House Advisory Services environmentally friendly means of bulk P O Box 38479 London SE16 4WX transport. Printer: Ghost Creations