The UK ports industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through UK ports, which also handle around 25 million international passenger journeys each year.
Ports across the UK are investing in upgrading and expanding facilities to cope with increasing demand and maximise new opportunities for regeneration, innovation and economic development, particularly in areas like offshore energy, port-centric manufacturing, container shipping and Ro/Ro.
Strategic investment in port facilities and capability is essential for the UK economy to remain competitive internationally and for the country as a whole to meet its ambitions and commitments on decarbonisation and net zero.
Created in 1992, the British Ports Association (BPA) represents the interests of over 100 port and terminal members that collectively manage more than 400 ports, harbours, and marine facilities across the UK. Its members account for 86% of all port tonnage and handle 85% of all vessel visits at UK ports. Membership comprises many ports, terminal operators, and port facilities, of varying size, location, and nature, and is able to draw upon a wide range of experience and knowledge to represent its members’ interests.
In addition, the BPA’s membership includes over 100 associate members made up of a diverse range of companies who provide goods and services to ports and who are involved in the wider BPA network.
The BPA lobbies various tiers of government around the UK and beyond and is the only organisation to promote the entire ports industry and regularly undertakes activities to increase the profile of the sector.
Together ABP’s Humber port at Grimsby, Immingham, Hull, and Goole, they provide an unparalleled gateway for the trade connecting businesses across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
The Port of Grimsby is the first port on the Humber and has always been an important hub for the maritime industries. Recent growth in offshore wind has boosted the port as a base for the operation and maintenance of large wind farms off the east coast of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The port provides safe shelter, along with dedicated facilities for ship berthing and maintenance, offices and storage, as well as marine co-ordination and training.
As the UK's premier inland port, Goole is ideally sited for access to the country's transport infrastructure., Handling around 1.5 million tonnes of various cargoes per year, the constant water level allows heavy lift working on most berths. It also has a dedicated rail-freight terminal.
The Port of Immingham is the UK’s largest port by tonnage, handling around 46 million tonnes of cargo every year. The port is a critical part of the supply chain for sustainable electricity generation and other energy production, helping power the nation and helping to cement the Humber as ‘the UK’s Energy Estuary’.
The Port of Hull is the UK’s leading softwood timber port and the focus of the offshore wind sector on the Humber, the UK’s energy estuary. The multi-million-pound investment in the Hull Container Terminal (HCT) has cemented Hull’s position as a leading gateway for trade, offering reliable and resilient supply chain solutions from around the world. Adjacent to the port, the Humber International Enterprise Park (HIEP) is one of the largest development sites in the north of England.
Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises is one the UK’s leading suppliers of trade and wholesale fish for food processors, fish merchants and caterers. The firm has been trading for more than 30 years, building lasting international relationships and advancing the pursuit of sustainable fishing practices, holding an accreditation from the Marine Stewardship Council since 2014.
The market receives the majority of its fresh fish from Iceland and Norway but also from across the UK and Europe, before carrying out onshore weighing, grading and packing for onward distribution. At 7am, every Monday to Friday, registered buyers bid on the day’s fish at auction. Grimsby Fish Market also holds a British Retail Certificate ‘AA’ accreditation for maintaining fish quality, logistics and general industry standards.
The Port of Grimsby East is the first port on the Humber and has always been an important hub for the maritime industries. Recent growth in offshore wind has boosted the port as a base for the operation and maintenance of large wind farms off the east coast of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The port provides safe shelter, along with dedicated facilities for ship berthing and maintenance, offices and storage, as well as marine co-ordination and training.
Services available at the port include naval architects, ship builders and engineers; pontoon, slipway and boat hoists; metred power, water and fuel bunkering. The port is leased and operated by Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd.
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