British Ports Association

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Publications

All of our publications and brochures are available as PDFs below or if you would like further details please email us on info@britishports.org.uk.

Sustainability

A Guide to Alternative Fuels for NRMM

A short guide on alternative fuels for non-road mobile machinery used in ports. This has been produced by the Zemo Partnership, a non-profit organisation working to help reduce transport emissions.

The purpose of this guide is to provide a brief overview of a range of low carbon liquid and gaseous fuels that could replace diesel in port NRMM over the next five years. Included are a variety of biofuels and low carbon hydrogen pathways. For each low carbon fuel, information has been presented for six characteristics. Similar information for electric NRMM has also been included for comparison purposes and a summary is provided of future fuels, forecast to come to market at scale from 2030 onwards.

Environment Act 2021 – Legislative Review of Impacts on UK Ports

Released in April 2021, this paper provides an introduction to the provisions of the Environment Act 2021. It was produced in association with Eversheds Sutherland, the global law firm.

Offshore Renewables and UK Ports

Assisted by ports, the UK added 483 MW of new capacity to the grid from wind energy in 2020, which remained in line with pre-COVID forecasts despite uncertainty brought by the pandemic – signalling the industry’s commitment to installation plans. However, progress needs to be rapidly sped up to meet the 2030 targets. This paper outlines how this can be done.

Reducing Emissions from Shipping in Ports: Examining the Barriers to Shore Power

It is increasingly likely that shore power will be just one of a combination of emissions reduction solutions for the ports industry, yet there are barriers in place to the widespread implementation of this scheme. This report from BPA, produced with the assistance of Arkevista, Arup, Schneider Electric, TT Club, and UK Power Network Services, covers these obstacles and provides possible alternative paths.

Port Futures

The Port Futures Programme was launched by the British Ports Association in 2018, to examine global emerging trends in the ports and shipping industries.

Please see some example publications below. (For the full list of Port Futures publications, please click on the ‘Port Futures’ heading, which will take you to our designated page.)

Automation of Ships in Ports and Harbours

A research piece looking both at the business opportunties for Major and Minor Ports in the British Isles for the use of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (“MASS”), and at the trends, opportunities, and challeneges of automation.

MOVE FORWARD: STEP BY STEP TOWARDS A DIGITAL PORT

A white paper produced by the Port of Rotterdam in association with the British Ports Association Port Futures programme.

“Digitisation is a significant contemporary trend. All ports and maritime comopanies are aware of the need for change. The question is: how and where to start?”

Terminal Velocity: Emerging technology and future skills for UK ports

The BPA commissioned Thetius to examine how emerging technologies might change skills dynamics across UK ports in the coming years.

Research and Data

BPA Port Futures: The Potential Impact of Autonomous and Ultra-Low Emissions HGVs on the British Ro-Ro Port Market

This paper provides the results of a ‘2050 Autonomy & Carbon Reduction Scenario’ produced by MDS Transmodal using Great Britain Freight Model, which seeks to quantify the potential impact of autonomous and ultra-low emission trucks on Ro-Ro freight flows. It was designed as a contribution to the BPA Port Futures programme.

Port Traffic Analysis Including Modal Transport Splits

This Port Traffic Analysis report was commissioned by the BPA as part of our Port Connectivity Review and provides more detailed information on modal splits and the wider freight journey. It is designed to provide industry and government with a picture of where investment would be best focused to ensure maximum efficiency of freight and trade flows.

Trust Port Board Survey Results

This survey was issued to BPA trust port members in May and June 2021 to collate information that allows ports to assess themselves against their peers in terms of board activities.

Ports & Coastal Communities

The BPA has compiled examples of community and stakeholder initiatives across the UK ports industry. This highlights not only ports acting as national economic hubs, but also regional hubs of investment and support in the local community.

‘I Have A Bridge to Sell You’ – Making the Case for Port Connectivity

Research commissioned by the BPA estimates that a fixed link between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is likely to cost in the region of £20 billion. Such projects are likely to experience cost overruns, as well as increase carbon emissions in the area. This report presents the case against such as physical link and why maritime is a far cheaper and greener option.

State of the Maritime Nation 2022 (Maritime UK Report)

Maritime UK’s ‘State of the Maritime Nation 2022’ report, delivered by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

The CEBR were commissioned by Maritime UK to quantify the economic contribution of the Maritime Sector to the UK economy.

UK Ports Directory 2024/25

This document provides a comprehensive and welcome guide to the UK Ports Sector. It features a detailed list of all of the UK’s commercial ports, along with additional reference information, useful maps and thought-provoking articles.

Policy Papers

Scottish Ports: Gateways for Growth 2023

The 30-page document details the breadth of industries that rely on the Scottish ports sector and outlines the approaches needed to keep the industry thriving in the decades ahead. Made in collaboration with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Porthladdoedd Cymru – Injans ar Gyfer Twf Chenedlaethol a Rhanbarthol

WELSH LANGUAGE VERSION
Ports in Wales are vital international gateways for regional and national investment, providing jobs and transit for Wales and the rest of the UK. The Welsh Ports Group has compiled this paper promoting the Welsh sector and providing an insight into the unique situation presented by the industry.

Welsh Ports – National and Regional Engines for Growth

ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION
Ports in Wales are vital international gateways for regional and national investment, providing jobs and transit for Wales and the rest of the UK. The Welsh Ports Group has compiled this paper promoting the Welsh sector and providing an insight into the unique situation presented by the industry.

An Agenda for Westminster and Beyond

Produced soon after the 2019 General Election, this paper summarises topical issues facing the British ports industry running into the 2020s.

Guidance

Mapping Port Regulations

The BPA have mapped some of the most important pieces of legislation and regulation that affect ports and rated their sustainability to the industry. The map is intended to be a broad overview of where we think the priorities for regulatory reform for our sector lie. We have also included guidance and codes of practice where there is a firm expectation of compliance from government.

Guidance: Dealing With Abandoned Vessels in Harbours

Vessel abandonment has increasingly become an issue in some ports, harbours, and marinas. This guide includes some suggested steps ports may want to adopt in dealing with abandoned vessels.

Mobile Coverage and Deployments in Ports

The digitalisation of ports will allow operators to work more autonomously and efficiently, with 5G acting as a catalyst for this innovation. The BPA, in association with Telint, have produced a paper outlining the advantages and potential pitfalls on the road to implementing digital connectivity in the ports industry.

What Are Trust Ports?

Trust ports are a particular type of port model which have recently received significant backing from the UK Government. This briefing is designed to provide a short overview of what they are and how they operate.

The Embarkation and Disembarkation of Pilots Code of Safe Practice

This code is designed to assist Competent Harbour Authority (CHA’s) and pilot organisations, to
establish safe operating procedures for all pilot boarding and landing operations, derived by risk
assessment.

National Directions Panel guidance on Harbour Directions

Industry guidance stemming from the Marine Navigation Act 2013

British Ports Association publications

30 Years of British Ports Association

A reflection of the past thirty years of the British Ports Association, taking a look back over the years with our core objective of speaking on behalf of Ports within the maritime industry which spans over an impressive three decades. This publication celebrates and looks back over this time in reflection with staff members of past and present, council and chair members.

British Ports Association’s Annual Report 2024

The British Ports Association’s Annual Report for 2024, which was published for the 2025 AGM. The Report summarises the activities of the BPA throughout the year and some of the key pieces of work undertaken by the team.

BPA Sponsorship Opportunities 2025

The BPA have many sponsorship opportunities throughout the year that our members can be involved with.