Scotland

Ports in Scotland are fundamental to the Scottish and UK economies. They have a unique role, not only providing a base for trade and employment, but in connecting communities.

Each year ports in Scotland handle over 100m tonnes of freight, which represents 17.5 per cent of the UK’s total, equating to a trade value of around £65bn. This is equivalent to 21 tonnes of freight per person. In England the figure is 8 tonnes.

It is estimated that port and harbour related activity, such as cargo handling and storage, warehousing, ship repair and construction, generate economic activity to the extent of some 18,000 direct Full Time Equivalent jobs in Scotland. The potential additional knock-on employment of up to 21,000 is a result of indirect and induced expenditure effects through the supply chain. These figures exclude employment generated by the fishing and offshore oil and gas sectors which represent a very significant contribution to the Scottish economy.

Over 67 per cent of Scotland’s total exports go out via Scottish ports, equating to 74 million tonnes each year. As well as goods, ports in Scotland handle 10.5 million passenger movements each year. Domestic services and links to Northern Ireland are vital to communities and the economy.

In addition to its cargo and passenger handling roles, the ports industry offers a range of other important services. These include the UK’s largest offshore oil industry, maintaining ferry links to island communities, the growing leisure and recreation sectors as well as the largest fi shing industry in the UK. Particular growth areas in recent years have been the cruise liner and private yacht mooring sectors.

The BPA in Scotland

The BPA exists to represent the interests of its members to all levels of government. The BPA’s Scottish Ports Committee is the only ports forum in Scotland and is made up of representatives from ports and harbours around the Scottish coast. The Committee’s Chairman is Nigel Mills, Director of Harbours at Orkney Islands Council and it meets regularly with all levels of the Scottish Government.

There are real opportunities to develop policies which promote not only ports but the Scottish transport system and economy.

Successful policies depend on the ports industry and the Scottish Government reaching a mutual understanding on how port markets are developing and especially the demands they are likely to make on road, rail and other public investments.

We recently produced an economic impact assessment document on the contribution that ports make to the Scottish economy and this can be found here: BPA Scottish Ports Committee – 'Delivering Value'

Aims and priorities

The BPA Scottish Ports Committee has the following aims:

• To achieve a mutual understanding with the Scottish Government and all relevant public authorities on future capacity needs and future direction of travel of the industry
• To continue to press for increased transport investment to improve connections to ports
• To protect the environment in a sustainable way which balances economic and social needs pragmatically
• To achieve an efficient planning and consents system which delivers more certainty
• To continue to provide a knowledge resource for its members and a forum for the exchange of information and best practice
• To continue to dedicate resources to represent port interests to all levels of government