British Ports Association
Media Centre
The UK ports industry plays a key role in the country’s economy as 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through British ports, handling 500 million tonnes of freight and 60 million passengers each year.
The British Ports Association represents the interests of over 100 port members, covering more than 400 ports, terminal operators and port facilities. This page contains the latest news and reaction from the BPA on topical issues. Please use the contacts listed below for interview and comment requests as well as further background information.
Media Contacts
Mark Simmonds – Director of Policy & External Affairs
Phone, SMS, Whatsapp: 07387090955 (inc. out of hours)
mark.simmonds@britishports.org.uk
Mark is the main liaison for enquiries
Richard Ballantyne – Chief Executive
07500660098
richard.ballantyne@britishports.org.uk
BPA Press Releases
Read our latest press releases and news items
Industrial Action
Our comment on the impact of industrial action can be found here: https://www.britishports.org.uk/strikes
Seafarers’ Wages Bill
Following redundancies at P&O Ferries in March 2022, the Government published a 9 point plan for seafarers. The BPA supports 8 of these aims and shares the Government’s overall ambitions for the sector. We do not support point 2, asking or directing ports to regulate seafarers wages as this outside of ports’ core competencies and is unworkable. This work should be undertaken by Government agencies.
Supply Chain Issues
A number of overlapping supply chain issues are currently affecting UK ports. Container ports around the world are dealing with backlogs in containers, affecting supply chains. UK ports are experiencing particularly high volumes as a result of that combined with additional traffic from stockpiling ahead of the end of the transition period. Shortages of haulage drivers are also having an impact.
Read more about why this is happening and how the UK is affected, here.
Freeports
The BPA supports an ambitious and bespoke UK Freeport model that will support jobs, development and regeneration.
Click here to read more about what we think about the Government’s proposals and for background information on what is being proposed.
Sanctions
Find out how sanctions could affect UK ports here
New Post-Brexit Border Controls
From 1 January 2021, the EU implements new customs and regulatory controls at their ports for goods arriving from Great Britain. The UK will phase in import controls. Click here for more information on the impacts this is having at UK ports.