New figures published today by the ports industry reveal the hidden scale of the industry across the UK. As well as being key trading gateways – handling 95% of UK trade – ports are the foundation of the entire marine economy and are increasingly supporting other types of valuable economic activity, from leisure to fishing, offshore energy and marine aggregates.

A new trade campaign coalition has published a report calling on the Government to grant special economic status to airports and seaports in order to stimulate international investment, reshore manufacturing and ultimately lower prices for consumers in a post-Brexit Britain.

Following the announcement today that the UK Government has opened a new grants scheme for infrastructure modifications at ports in preparation for a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the British Ports Association has welcomed the funding but suggested that at this late stage a deal was the best way to avoid potential disruptions at the border.

Over a quarter of fish caught by the UK fishing fleet is landed abroad, according to a new report published today by the Seafish Industry Authority.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has today published its Annual UK Port Freight Statistics for 2018. The figures detail 95% of UK physical imports and exports, which are facilitated by ships using British ports.

British Ports Association (BPA) responds to reports in UK media on Government assessment of no-deal Brexit. The BPA has consistently said that a no-deal scenario will cause disruption at some ports and that the best Brexit scenario is a comprehensive deal that supports frictionless trade.

The finalists for the inaugural Maritime UK Awards were announced yesterday and included in the list are a number of UK ports.

The British Ports Association is today launching a new joint smart ports paper with the Port of Rotterdam examining port digitalisation.

The British Ports Association has cautiously welcomed the Government’s announcement of “up to 10 new freeports”. The BPA has developed ambitious complementary Port Enterprise and Development Zone proposals.

Following the UK Chancellor Sajid Javid’s announcement of £2.1bn for ‘no-deal’ Brexit preparations, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association issued the following statement: