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Waterborne Freight Research

THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Oct 2026 at 13:24

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport commissioned research into barriers, enablers and opportunities to increase the use of waterborne freight across the UK. The work is research services, including marine research, and is delivered in London. The study is intended to inform understanding of how freight transport by water could be used more widely. The Department for Transport is the buyer. This is a focused policy and transport research requirement rather than a procurement of freight operations, vessels or infrastructure works.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to ECORYS UK LIMITED through a selective call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. The award was made on 9 October 2026, for £183,484. The contract period runs from 7 October 2026 to 12 July 2027. The original estimated procurement value was £183,494, and tenders were due by 9 September 2026. The requirement was assessed as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The published information describes the research subject and procurement route but does not set out an evaluation formula or detailed eligibility requirements.

For research consultancies, this award demonstrates Department for Transport demand for applied evidence on freight policy and the potential to shift goods movement to waterways. A credible competitor for a similar requirement would need to design and deliver robust research into the barriers to adoption, the conditions that enable uptake, and the practical opportunities for expanding waterborne freight in the UK. Relevant strengths would include transport and freight-sector knowledge, marine research capability, policy analysis and the ability to turn findings into clear, decision-useful evidence for a national government client. The successful supplier was an SME, indicating that this focused research work can be delivered by a smaller business. The work is research rather than service operation or infrastructure delivery.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Waterborne Freight Research

Notice Description

Notice of an awarded contract to a supplier to undertake research into barriers, enablers, and opportunities to increase the use of waterborne freight in the UK

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a4218e27-d072-4b16-93b0-7cc482242e71
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/937e1d54-eae0-436b-90b1-282967fd14f9
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

73112000 - Marine research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£183,494 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£183,484 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
7 Oct 2026 - 12 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Ecorys UK Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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