Naulage is a term that refers to the act or process of conveying goods or materials by boat or ship using a specific type of vessel known as a naulager. The term is derived from the French word "naulage," which means "haulage" or "carriage."
Naulage is often used in the context of transporting heavy or bulky items such as lumber, construction materials, or cargo that cannot be easily transported by land. It typically involves loading the goods onto a naulager, which is a specialized watercraft designed specifically for transporting heavy loads.
The naulager is usually a flat-bottomed boat or barge that is capable of carrying large volumes of cargo. It may be powered by oars, sails, or a motor, depending on the specific requirements of the transportation task. Naulage may take place on rivers, canals, or other bodies of water that are navigable by the naulager.
Naulage has been an important mode of transportation throughout history, particularly in regions where waterways provide a convenient and efficient means of moving goods. It offers advantages such as reduced cost compared to land transportation, particularly for heavy or large loads that would be difficult to transport by road or rail.
Overall, naulage is the process of conveying goods or materials by boat or ship using a specialized vessel called a naulager, and it has played a significant role in facilitating the movement of heavy loads across waterways throughout history.
