There has been growing interest in the potential for freight traffic as fuel costs have risen and awareness of the environmental benefits of freight by water has increased.
Wherever we can do so cost effectively, we endeavour to facilitate freight on our larger waterways.
Further information
You can find out what you need to start a trading freight business on our waterways by visiting our boating business pages.
You can also review our documents:
Laid-up freight vessels should have an up-to-date survey and be adequately insured to cover their laid-up status.
Charges
In April 2021, following no increases since 2003, we increased the toll rate for freight on our navigations from 1 pence / tonne / km to 1.5 pence / tonne / km with an RPI increase for each year thereafter.
- The toll rate for freight from April 2024 is 1.94 pence / tonne / km
- The toll rate for freight from April 2025 will be 1.97 pence / tonne / km
- The rate from April 2026 will be 2.01 pence / tonne / km*
- The rate from April 2027 will be 2.05 pence / tonne / km*
- The minimum toll will be based on a distance of 10 km
* This based on an estimate of RPI and so these may change.
Some freight movements may also be subject to additional charges to cover, for example, temporary adjustments to water levels, issuing navigation notices to warn other users of the activity, provision of lock keepers out of normal hours or specific dredging.
Enquiries
For enquiries about freight please contact your regional office:
- Yorkshire & North East
- North West
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- Wales & South West
- London & South East
To grow freight activity, our waterways are in need of investment to ensure they are fit for purpose for additional use. We are happy to discuss funding proposals for such work.
Useful links
We are members of the Freight Transport Association, who help to promote waterborne freight.
We work with the Commercial Boat Operators Association, whose members often use our network.
