Who We Are

Freight by Water promotes the movement of UK domestic freight and near-continental import/export by short-sea, coastal and inland waterborne transport. Established in 2003, it is recognised by Government as the UK's official Shortsea Promotion Centre. 

It is a membership organisation that collectively represents ship, barge and port operators, shippers and various other maritime-related organisations and consultants. As a not-for-profit body, it receives funding from the Department for Transport which recognizes its aim to strengthen both UK and European freight transport policy.

What We Do

Freight by Water promotes water as a commercially and environmentally-sustainable mode of transport. Its primary objective is to educate logistics professionals about water-freight transport and create awareness of its benefits including lower carbon emissions, a reduction and avoidance of road congestion and significant fuel/cost efficiencies. Working closely within the wider European Shortsea Network and with promotors of other transport modes, Freight by Water offers the market a coherent range of choices to make supply chains more efficient and resilient through diversity.

Freight by Water's role extends to providing policymakers with feedback from industry to help ensure that successful transport policy and initiatives are implemented. It also advises Government on how to increase the take-up of water-freight. Additionally, it provides general information about available grants such as Freight Facilities Grants, Waterborne Freight Grants, Marco Polo and Motorways of the Sea, to assist modal shift. It also offers free initial advice and thereafter, directs interested applicants to consultants who provide step-by-step guidance for a successful grant application.