Unlocking the potential of coastal shipping for UK freight 

What's inside?

The UK’s freight system is heavily reliant on road transport — with more than 80% of domestic goods moved by HGVs. This creates congestion, emissions, and inefficiencies across key logistics corridors.

Our new report, Scaling Coastal Shipping in the UK, explores how shifting more domestic freight to short sea and coastal shipping can help decarbonise logistics, ease congestion, and unlock regional economic growth.

Discover how coastal shipping can play a bigger role in the UK’s freight future, including:

• Reducing road congestion with fewer HGV journeys and improved air quality around ports and major corridors
• Cutting carbon intensity with potential emissions savings of up to 50% compared to road haulage
• Creating regional growth and revitalising coastal towns and supporting local jobs through new port activity
• Opportunities for innovation, exploring green corridors, clean propulsion, and future fuel technologies.

It examines the suitability of different supply chains and goods types for modal shift, and considers key barriers to adoption - including cost, infrastructure, and operational integration.

Download the full report using the form.