Commercial traffic on canals/inland waterways

[WestCountry]

Lots of work being done on Farndale, look forward to seeing her in traffic.

#farndale #grimsby #off #inlandwaterways #casperriverandcanal #maritimeheritage #sustainabletransport | Casper River & Canal Transport | 11 comments

A New Chapter for MB #Farndale-H... Every vessel has a story, and the MB Farndale H turns an important page in hers. After undergoing some major repairs in dry dock, she’s now safely alongside in #Grimsby, ready for the final touches that will prepare her to return to action on our inland...

www.linkedin.com

On a much smaller scale, a couple of friends are crewing the fuel narrowboat Halsall based in the Cheshire area.

 

[CarltonA]

Spotted a sailing barge in Windsor today. The "Daybreak" known as a Humber Keel it was launched in 1934 and is believed to be the last commercial sailing vessel built in the UK. Headed downstream for those interested.

 

[Harpo]

I’d highly recommend the circular tour that includes the whole length of the Dudley tunnel.

Tickets

online1.venpos.net

 

[Inafinus]

Re Sharpness and Gloucester, it’s not a freight flow, but a friend works on the tug, Severn Sea, which was in dry dock at Gloucester last summer. It left down the canal a few days later, and I got to have a nose about on board – I suppose that’s technically commercial shipping!

It’s also worth mentioning the possible return of commercial shipping on the Caledonian Canal if the Loch Loch hydro scheme makes use of it. A trial was run in 2022: https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/sse-and-scottish-canals-link-up-on-coire-glas-hydro-scheme

 

[zwk500]

Is there still one in Bristol?

Yes, although it's more a water bus than a taxi as it follows a schedule and specific stops. The company also runs tourist harbour boat trips and can be hired out if you want. https://www.bristolferry.com/ferry/

 

[eastwestdivide]

The tanker Exol Pride is tied up at Exol Lubricants in Rotherham today. Haven't noticed it for a while

 

[Mag_seven]

The tanker Exol Pride is tied up at Exol Lubricants in Rotherham today. Haven't noticed it for a while

Thread unlocked for an update.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Today, just now, scrap metal being loaded into Off-Roader (mentioned further back in the thread) at Rotherham.

 

[Inafinus]

Today, just now, scrap metal being loaded into Off-Roader (mentioned further back in the thread) at Rotherham.

View attachment 207686

Fantastic stuff! I’d love to understand the economics involved with establishing this is the most cost effective, or otherwise attractive option.

Edit: there’s a good read on this and other related traffic here https://logistics.org.uk/green-mile...to-barge-the-commercial-revival-of-leeds-inla

 

[WestCountry]

Casper hinting at something... I don't even have a guess as to what!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/casp...rging-goole-activity-7487943684324421632-8kSA

Some journeys are more than just another voyage. They become part of history. This August, we're preparing for an operation that will see the MB Off Roader on one of our regular routes but it hasn't witnessed a commercial movement like this in well over a decade on the inland waterways. Months of planning, specialist expertise, and close collaboration have gone into what's ahead. We're not revealing everything just yet... but this is one you'll want to follow. Watch this space.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Aug 2026 ==

300-tonner 'Heather Rose H' has started working on the Birkwood traffic. Not sure whether replacing 'George Dyson' or additional.

'Farndale H' is out of refit and did a couple of runs for Casper but doesn't seem to be in regular use currently.

 

[WestCountry]

Casper's special cargo is some kind of large steel components for National Highways, transhipped at Goole off a larger coaster.

A CRT crane barge has been borrowed to unload them somewhere.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Casper's special cargo is some kind of large steel components for National Highways, transhipped at Goole off a larger coaster.

A CRT crane barge has been borrowed to unload them somewhere.

Know any big road bridge schemes under way in W or S Yorks?

 

[WestCountry]

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26487159.transformer-units-travel-via-canal-barge-eggborough/

Transformers to Eggborough.

My last post was in error, I'd misunderstood "National Highways' 'water preferred' policy" as them being the customer, but that was re. movement permits for oversize loads.