John Brash has been evaluating the use of barges to carry batten and scaffold board timber from Hull and Goole to its Gainsborough, Lincolnshire site.
The company says the trial forms part of its strategy to reduce its environmental impact by shrinking its carbon footprint and reducing traffic on local roads.
It currently trucks timber from the ports, which are respectively 47 and 30 miles from its premises.
But each barge can carry six lorry loads and Brash believes could be more fuel efficient.
The vessels travel up the Trent and off load at a wharf at West Stockwith, four miles from the company’s premises.
It is working on the project with Barge Consult and Branford Barge Owners. It has also involved close liaison with timber suppliers Setra and Stora Enso over shipping arrangements so that the transport plan takes into account dock scheduling, tidal patterns on the Trent and lock gate access.
The trial will involve running 10 barges trips, with 282m3 of wood carried on each.
Brash managing director Mike Hartley said the initial results were “very encouraging”.
