Freight Transport - Coastwise Shipping Inland Waterways and Pipelines

High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Friday, September 23, 2011

Coastwise Shipping Inland Waterways and Pipelines

Following the oil-related increases in the 1970s, the tonnages lifted in Scotland by coastal shipping and pipelines have fluctuated over the past 20 years, and are currently around 25-31 million tonnes each per year. (A new EC Maritime Statistics Directive caused the break in the "coastal shipping" series.) Inland waterway freight has remained fairly stable, around 10-12 million tonnes.

When measured in "tonne-kilometres" (which take account of the distance that the freight is carried, and are unaffected by freight being lifted several times en route), shipping is around 14-17 billion, pipeline roughly 6 billion, and inland waterway ¼ billion. (Such figures are available for fewer years).

Freight lifted in Scotland: coastal shipping, pipeline and inland waterway 1974-2009

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Source: Scottish Transport Statistics

Further Information

Page updated: Friday, October 07, 2011