UK national ports policy welcomed

Levels of demand for port services will be delayed, “by a number of years, but not ultimately reduce[d]”, the policy document says, by the global economic crisis.

Research consultancy MDS Transmodal originally forecast growth up to 2030 (base year 2005) of 182% in containers, from 7m to 20mteu, excluding transhipment; 101% in ro-ro traffic, from 85m  tonnes to 170m tonnes; and 4% in  non-unitised traffic, from 411m to 429m tonnes. 

UK Major Ports Group executive director Richard Bird said: “The latest version of the ports statement is very much on the same lines as the earlier version published before the last election. We are pleased to see the additional emphasis being placed  on ports’ role in the development  of the off-shore energy sector.”

However the UKMPG added that it is  “disappointing” that the government has again “failed to co-ordinate the  ports statement with the statement  on road and rail infrastructure,  which is due out at the end of the  year”, adding that ensuring good connections to ports is a vital part of overall ports planning policy.

Independent ports consultant Nick Finney said the UK industry would be “relieved” that the policy retained the non-geographical basis of the original policy.

“This means new developments will not be artificially encouraged or deterred by geographic location,” he said.

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