If rolled out to stores in the same area, switching the distribution of goods from road to river could prevent 350,000 km of lorry travel on London’s congested roadsand
would contribute to a company target of reducing CO2 emissions by 25% by 2012. As London’s oldest grocer, the trial set up by UK water transport promoters Sea and Water saw Sainsbury’s revert to a transport method it had used in 1869.

The trial is one of many projects Sainsbury's is exploring to be more energy efficient, particularly in the area of transport and operations, where it aims to reduce the distance its fleet and suppliers travel by 5 million kilometres by 2010.

Roger Burnley, supply chain director for Sainsbury's said, ‘The trial, in conjunction with the Port of London Authority, was a success and proved there are alternatives for us to be more efficient as a business, environmentally sustainable, and cause less congestion on busy London roads. But it's interesting that one of the ways we could do this is by revisiting how we operated when we set up shop almost 140 years ago.’

For the PLA, chief executive Richard Everitt added, ‘In recent years, the Thames has been used to move heavy, bulk goods like building materials. Sainsbury's trial was a first, as it tested the potential of the upper river for moving time-sensitive goods. As water freight doesn't face traffic build up, the trial actually showed that freight moves faster on the river than on central London's roads. You also get free energy when you use the river as the tide helps propel the vessel.’

The trial, which took place in February, convinced Sainsbury's that the movement of goods on the river Thames between the distribution centre and stores is a viable option provided the commercial riverside operations can be established. Sainsbury's is committed to working with partners to encourage the development of the wharf infrastructure further.