Half UK ports feel Brexit wont affect them
(Posted on 24/09/19)
Maritime industry professionals in the UK remain confident about the year ahead despite wider uncertainty, according to new data published by the British Ports Association today. Ports themselves are more likely to be worried about the economy over the next 12 months, however.
Confidence: Less than a third (29%) of ports feel confident about the economy in the next year, but 51% of the wider maritime industry feels confident. 83% of ports were planning investments into new business services, property or infrastructure in the next three months.
Brexit: The survey reveals that half of ports do not feel that Brexit will affect them (either negatively or positively) in the next year, whilst a third feel it will impact them negatively. This can be attributed to the structure of the industry (i.e. some ports will handle more non-EU trade, for example)
Employment: On the back of new figures last week showing that the ports industry directly employs 115,000 people, one third of ports that responded reported that they would be hiring additional staff in the next 12 months.
Revenue: 45% of ports that responded said that their revenue had gone up in the last 12 months, 26% said it was stable and 29% said it had dropped.
Top concerns: The economy was cited as the top concern by ports, closely followed by Brexit (which may be related). Environment/Climate Change (including regulation) was in third place. Maritime industry professionals cited Brexit, Environment/Climate Change (including regulation), and the economy as their top three concerns in that order.
Key takeaways for the British Ports Association:
- UK Ports policy is working and delivering a thriving and competitive independent sector. 83% are planning investment in new services or infrastructure and a third of ports surveyed are planning to hire new, additional, staff in the next year.
- Despite continuing political and economic uncertainty clouding the horizon, the majority of ports are confident about their business over the next year
- Two-thirds of port professionals are concerned about the economic outlook and a similar number are concerned about the impact of Brexit (which may be related). This is good news for the economy as jobs in the ports industry are 55% more productive than average
Commenting on the results, Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, Political and Economic Analyst at the British Ports Association said: 2The results of the BPA Business Confidence Survey reveal that ports are strong, resilient and performing well under the current economic climate.”
Latest News
Port of Antwerp-Bruges growth despite challenges
(Posted on 23/10/24)After nine months, Port of Antwerp-Bruges saw a total throughput of 210.5 million tonnes, an increase... Read more
Expanded Oshawa Grain Terminal begins test loads
(Posted on 19/10/24)The improved Port of Oshawa Grain Export Terminal in Ontario has reached an important milestone, welcoming... Read more
King Willem-Alexander and King Philip open New Lock in Terneuzen
(Posted on 15/10/24)His Majesty the King Willem-Alexander and His Majesty the King of the Belgians Filip jointly opened... Read more
Ducat’s West Africa rice milestone highlights advanced logistical methods
(Posted on 14/10/24)Ducat Maritime, a leader in global maritime logistics, has announced that it has successfully shipped... Read more
International port stakeholders sign declaration to decarbonise global shipping
(Posted on 14/10/24)The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), has concluded with representatives of various ports, international... Read more
Logistec appoints Cleidy Liborio Fernandes CCO to accelerate growth
(Posted on 08/10/24)LOGISTEC, a leading North American marine and environmental services provider, has announced the appointment... Read more
Hamburg and Singapore begin strategic partnership
(Posted on 08/10/24)The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Maritime and Port Authority Singapore (MPA) have signed a letter... Read more
Xeneta: US port strike ends, but supply chains to take weeks to recover
(Posted on 04/10/24)Strike action at ports on the US East and Gulf Coast have ended after a new wage agreement was reached... Read more
Successful Rotterdam moveable shore power pilot
(Posted on 01/10/24)In recent months, a pilot with moveable battery containers with shore power has taken place at the Steinweg... Read more
Maqta Gateway and Presight sign strategic AI-powered solutions agreement
(Posted on 01/10/24)Maqta Gateway, part of AD Ports Group’s Digital Cluster, has announced the signing of a Partnering... Read more
