New inland shipping port poised to begin handling bulk cargoes

Casper River and Canal Transport (Casper River), an inland waterway freight transportation company, has unveiled “the UK’s most inland shipping port” – in Leeds.

The 1.5-acre site in Stourton Wharf, owned and managed by commercial and industrial property specialist Towngate PLC, will see more than 5,893 heavy goods vehicles removed from UK roads for each water-based vessel in operation.

The news comes eight months after Casper River was first incorporated as a subsidiary of Casper Chartering, providing an in-house logistical solution to keep freight on water for longer throughout Europe.

While the company already has dedicated mooring facilities in Rotherham and Burton Upon Stather, Stourton Wharf marks its first self-operated inland waterway.

Situated on the Aire and Calder navigation between Castleford and Leeds, the port is designed to handle a variety of bulk cargoes – including steel, aggregates, cement, grain, and scrap – from sea to canal to end user.

The opening of the site follows an extensive three-month renovation, completed with the support of landlord Towngate PLC.

Along the 45-metre-long wharf, Casper River has cleared overgrowth, levelled the ground with aggregate to access moored vessels, demolished fifty metres of a ten-foot-tall brick wall and relocated site gates.

Sean Taylor, vessel operator at Casper River, said: “Waterborne freight transport is a significantly more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable option, but the misuse of our nation’s waterways means it’s not used as much as it should be.

“This is why we’re on a mission to revive the UK’s inland waterways and freight barges, and we’re already witnessing growth with partners who are just as committed to remedying the challenge as we are.

“Each vessel will save the equivalent of the average annual carbon footprint of 174 homes. And if initial trials go well with our first cargo barge – an ex-Humber Princess oil tanker called the MV Off-Roader – we’re hoping to discharge four barges each week at Stourton Wharf.”

Casper River is already considering additional developments to the site. Soon, the company plans to use on-shore energy to power its vessels when they moor alongside the wharf.

In addition to decreasing noise pollution for neighbouring homes and businesses, this will reduce the carbon emissions of its operations even further.

Jake Wilde, facilities manager at Towngate PLC, added: “Casper had been working with the Canal and River Trust to source the right location for the scheme.

“But with so many of the UK’s wharves in decline and lacking the right mooring facilities for commercial barging, it was a difficult feat – until they were eventually pointed in our direction.

“With three private wharves running along our Stourton Wharf facility, it proved the perfect location, conveniently situated just a five-minute drive from the M1 motorway and the heart of Leeds city centre.

“We’re pleased to have supported Casper River with the sizeable renovation, and look forward to facilitating the business’ ongoing expansion from our site.”

In order to meet expected capacity requirements, Casper River is in discussions with partners regarding additional fleet tonnage, supporting the growth of inland commercial barging throughout the Humber.