British ports talk up bulk
(Posted on 23/05/19)
With the breakbulk sector gathering in Bremen this week at this year’s Breakbulk Europe, the British Ports Association has renewed calls for further consideration of coastal shipping opportunities and a greater focus on port connectivity schemes within the UK.
Ports are vital components of the UK economy, acting as gateways for 95% of the UK’s international trade, as well as providing regional hubs for economic activity and employment. The UK’s transport network, which includes over 140 active cargo handling ports and terminals, facilitate the movement of significant volumes of freight. This allows British business and industry to compete and the economy to grow.
Coastal shipping in the UK gives us the opportunity to utilise the diverse range of UK ports for the short sea shipping of goods around the country and beyond. There are genuine opportunities available to drive new shipping services and business in transporting a variety of cargoes in an efficient and sustainable manner around the UK. Waterborne freight transport can also provide environmental benefits as well by reducing road congestion and pollution. As was mentioned in the UK Department for Transport’s recent Port Connectivity Study published last year, coastal shipping is a potentially underused domestic freight mode which deserves further consideration.
Commenting on the opportunities for coastal shipping and the importance of port connectivity, Sara Walsh, Corporate Services Manager at the British Ports Association, who is also attending Breakbulk Europe, said:
The bulk cargo sector is the backbone of the ports and wider UK logistics industry. In comparison with other transport modes, shipping remains an efficient and environmentally sustainable option which the industry is keen to encourage.
A regular challenge for the coastal shipping sector is transport costs and finance for cargo, shipping and port operators start-ups. The UK’s freight grants regime is designed to help with this but there has been limited take up in recent years. This is for a number of reasons such as the scope and limited timescales which in part stem from state aid rules. We feel it is time for the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider a full review, jointly conducted with industry, to explore how the grants scheme might be adapted and made more user friendly.
Ports and terminals rely on good hinterland connections to facilitate this traffic and targeted investment should be strongly considered to implement the recommendations given in the UK Department for Transport’s Port Connectivity Study, published in 2018.
Breakbulk Europe is being held in Bremen, Germany on 21-23 May and is the world’s largest event for the project cargo and breakbulk industry.
Latest News
Rail freight is key competitive advantage for German seaports
(Posted on 23/12/25)With this year’s Rail Conference “Rail Freight Transport and Seaports”, a joint initiative... Read more
ABL Group and ICG announce the successful acquisition of SCF Containers
(Posted on 18/12/25)Asian Bulk Logistics (ABL Group) and ICG have jointly announced the successful completion of ABL&rsquo... Read more
AD Ports and AVESTO establish New Logistics JV in Tajikistan
(Posted on 18/12/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more
Patrick Krawutschke appointed new Managing Director at HPC
(Posted on 18/12/25)The Executive Board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has appointed Patrick Krawutschke as Managing... Read more
Karachi Gateway agreement to develop clean bulk handling and storage facility
(Posted on 09/12/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, a global enabler of integrated trade, transport, industry, and logistics... Read more
30 Years of DUKC at Port Hedland
(Posted on 04/12/25)This year marks a significant milestone in maritime innovation as Port Hedland, Australia, celebrates... Read more
Major capital investment programme for ABP’s South Wales ports
(Posted on 02/12/25)Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, has announced the latest tranche... Read more
Strategic partnership for Vietnam-Japan green supply chain
(Posted on 24/11/25)During the Investment, Labour, and Trade Promotion Programme in Japan (November 16–22, 2025),... Read more
AD Ports signs two KEZAD land Leases of over 500,000sqm with Indian firms
(Posted on 24/11/25)AD Ports Group subsidiary Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated... Read more
AD Ports reports record Q3 net profit of AED596M
(Posted on 15/11/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, a global enabler of integrated trade, transport, industry, and logistics... Read more
