GovWire

Accredited official statistics: Port freight annual statistics: 2023

Department For Transport

July 16
23:00 2024

About this release

This statistical release provides information on trends and patterns in the handling of freight traffic at UK sea ports in terms of cargo (units and tonnage) as well as the route taken.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing maritime.stats@dft.gov.uk with any comments about how we meet these standards.

Overview of port freight statistics

In 2023, all UK ports handled a total of 434.9 million tonnes, reaching the lowest levels seen since 2000. Tonnage has declined 5% from 2022 and is down 10% since 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Below is a summary of the main points from the latest port freight trends.

In 2023:

  • major port traffic decreased by 5% from 2022, falling to below pandemic levels
  • minor port traffic declined by 3% from 2022, reaching the lowest levels seen from 2000
  • domestic trafficdecreased by 3% from 2022, reflecting a decrease in coastwise and one port traffic
  • international trafficdecreased by 6%, driven by a decline in imports and exports
  • London handled the most tonnage traffic of all UK ports, accounting for 12% of all UK traffic, followed closely by Grimsby and Immingham (11%)
  • liquid bulk saw the largest absolute decline of all cargo groups from 2022, followed by dry bulk

Contact us

Maritime and shipping statistics

Email maritime.stats@dft.gov.uk

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

To hear more about DfT statistical publications as they are released, follow us on X atDfTstats.

Updates to this page

Published 17 July 2024

Sign up for emails or print this page

Recent Comments

Follow Us on Twitter

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: