The British Ports Association (BPA), the national association for ports, has responded to the publication of the Department for Transport (DfT)’s 2024 Port Freight Statistics, acknowledging continued changes in cargo patterns while highlighting the future growth potential across the UK ports industry.
The headline figure shows a slight decline in total freight tonnages, down 1% from 2023 to 429.7 million tonnes, however, the BPA stresses that these numbers do not reflect the full and diverse picture of activities or investments taking place across the UK ports sector.
The unitised freight market remains strong, with container (Lo-Lo) traffic increasing by 2.1 million tonnes last year, the largest absolute growth of any cargo group in 2024. This was underpinned by strong demand on transatlantic routes, particularly from the Americas and China. Deep sea imports rose 11% to reach a new high of 22.4 million tonnes, with containerised imports from China accounting for much of this growth.
Meanwhile, Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic rose by 1%, and domestic Ro-Ro movements saw a notable increase of 26%, driven by accompanied road goods vehicles, particularly on Great Britain–Northern Ireland routes. This may reflect efforts to streamline post-Brexit customs processes through more direct transport links.
Despite a fall in bulk cargo volumes, particularly crude oil, LNG and coal, – which is linked to global energy market shifts and the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station – this trend reflects a broader transformation underway in UK energy infrastructure and port activity. Though the statistics do not capture the huge increases in offshore renewable energy developments or the recent record levels of cruise and tourism activities in the marine environment.
Commenting on the DfT’s figures, George Finch, the BPA’s Policy & Economic Analyst suggested:
“These figures confirm that while some traditional cargoes are subject to a long-term consolidation, UK ports are responding with resilience, innovation, and investment.
Ports across the country are evolving. The sector is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in upgraded container handling capacity and other facilities to meet both growing demands and changing trading patterns. Beyond freight, the ports industry is also playing a central role in driving the UK’s transition to a cleaner, more diversified economy and energy base.
As barometers of the economy, we want to see the country grow to fuel an increase in trade and we also welcome the government’s focus on planning and infrastructure to stimulate investment and development.”
UK ports are increasingly diversifying their operations and income streams:
- Offshore wind: Ports are developing or adapting infrastructure to support offshore wind assembly, maintenance and servicing to bolster clean growth, all around the British Isles and particularly in the Celtic Sea, North Sea and the East Coast.
- Cruise: Investment in new cruise terminals is supporting tourism and regional regeneration, especially across Scotland.
- Freeports, Green Freeports, and Industrial Strategy Zones: Ports are at the heart of many new Freeport and Green Freeport developments, as well as industrial strategy zones, with investment in logistics hubs, innovation, and low-carbon manufacturing.
- Hydrogen and green fuels: Ports are preparing to host and handle new fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, supporting the decarbonisation of maritime and industrial sectors, as well as supporting growth in carbon capture marine activities.
Ports today are not only gateways for goods, but active centres for clean energy, transport decarbonisation, and regional investment. The BPA continues to call for a supportive policy environment such as improved planning processes that enables long-term investment in port infrastructure, economic development and connectivity.