Forth Ports is conducting a feasibility study into shipping goods between its ports in Scotland and south-east England.
The Edinburgh company says the service could initially run twice-weekly but could go daily if there is demand.
Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond says talks are already underway with shipping operators and he hopes a coastal service for containerised products between Grangemouth and Tilbury will start sometime this year.
The news was welcomed by the Forestry Contracting Association. Timber transport officer Ewan Mackie said: ‘We are in favour of anything that shifts timber off the roads and it will be good news for timber hauliers who have short journeys to Scottish ports rather than long hauls south.
‘There is also the fact that a huge amount of timber will be coming out of Scottish forests in the near future, all of which will have to be transported one way or another, so any alternatives are a good idea.’
Mr Hammond said 159 million tonnes of freight are transported between Scotland and the south of England each year, mainly by road and rail.
‘Even a small slice of that would help business’, he said. ‘It is a question of getting vessels that are efficient and cheap enough to do this journey.’
The proposal is likely to get government backing as it fits the aim to reduce road freight traffic and could also attract funding from the European Commission which is promoting transport by sea.
