Freight traffic at UK ports is forecast to grow by more than five million tonnes over the next decade and by 33m tonnes by 2050, according to the government.
Despite liquid bulk freight traffic expected to decrease by 37% by 2035 and by over 63% by 2050 due to the acceleration of the net zero transition, which will heavily affect crude oil, the department for transport (DfT) said its forecasts showed there would be significant increases in unitised and dry bulk freight, which would drive long-term growth at ports.
“General cargo freight is also forecast to increase but at the lower rate of 12.1%; that is from 15m tonnes in 2023 to 16.9m tonnes in 2050,” the DfT said.
“This relatively smaller growth can probably be attributed to an expected decline in forestry products cargo and the increased containerisation of goods, i.e. shipments previously carried as break-bulk being moved through containers instead.”
The government’s projections came as it also set out proposals that aim to streamline the planning process for ports in England in order to make applications more successful and “turbocharge” economic growth.
The proposals were welcomed by the British Ports Association (BPA): “The ports industry is optimistic about its long-term future, with significant growth expected in trade volumes and other sectors such as offshore wind,” said BPA CE Richard Ballantyne.
“A refreshed ports policy statement is welcome recognition from government of the value of port development and expansion to the UK’s future prosperity.
“We hope it will speed up planning processes, delivering on shared industry and government economic growth ambitions.”
