Tuesday, 6th April, 2021
Cory continues Thames investment programme with delivery of five new barges
Cory Riverside Energy (‘Cory’) has taken delivery of five new barges from Newcastle-based shipyard A&P Tyne and Belgian shipyard Meuse and Sambre, following the signing of two multi-million-pound contracts over the past two years.
Cory has now taken delivery of six of 35 new barges which form part of the ongoing modernisation of its fleet. The new barges will replace the existing four types of barges with just two types (20 and 30 box), adding a greater level of flexibility into operations. The barges that are being replaced will either be repurposed or recycled.
The latest additions to the fleet can carry 20 waste containers containing a total of 270 tonnes of non-recyclable waste – thereby removing the equivalent of 11 articulated lorry journeys from the roads, making London’s streets safer and cleaner. The new 20 box barges will ultimately replace the fleet currently operating from Cringle Dock in Battersea and Walbrook Wharf in the City of London.
Naming rights for the first two barges were given to current and former Cory employees with over 40 years’ service with the company – John Daly and Amanda West.
The delivery of the barges represents the latest stage of Cory’s investment in its river-based infrastructure as the company progresses its £800 million growth plans, which include the development of the Riverside Energy Park next to its existing energy from waste facility in Belvedere.
In total, Cory operates a fleet of five tugs, more than 50 barges and in excess of 1,500 containers. This fleet is used to transport non-recyclable waste from waste transfer stations along the River Thames to Cory’s energy from waste facility in Belvedere. These same barges and tugs also transport the ash resulting from the energy recovery process further down the Thames to Tilbury where it is processed into aggregate for the construction industry. This use of the river removes around 100,000 vehicle journeys from London’s roads each year.
Commenting on the delivery, Cory’s Director of Logistics Fran Comerford-Cole said “This year marks Cory’s 125th anniversary and river operations have been at the heart of the Business since the very beginning. These additions to our fleet will help us to secure our future on the Thames for many years to come.”