The inland freight waterway transport sector in the UK is forecasted to experience a gradual decline in employment between 2024 and 2028, starting from 264 employees in 2024, decreasing to 250 by 2028. This represents a year-on-year decrease generally around 1.5% to 2% during this period. In 2023, actual employment levels in this sector were slightly above 264, marking a slight continuous downward trend before 2024.

Looking ahead, stakeholders should monitor:

Technological advancements potentially reducing demand for labor
Impact of environmental regulations on operational practices
The emergence of alternative transport modes and their effects on workforce requirements