Economic value of UK ports industry highlighted by British Ports Association
- UK ports handle 95% of all UK trade
- Over 101,000 people are directly employed by the ports industry
- Over £1.7bn privately financed port infrastructure projects in the pipeline
- Almost 500m tones of freight handled by UK ports this year
The British Ports Association have produced a series of promotional info graphics which highlight the importance of ports to the UK’s economy, the Association published data on its web-site. The cards use recent UK Port Freight Statistics released by the Department for Transport, and an economic impact study data produced for sector umbrella group Maritime UK to highlight the value of the UK ports industry. The figures show that collectively the industry employs 101,000 people, handles almost 500m tonnes of freight and contributes £7.6bn to the economy. The BPA has also produced these in a physical post card pack which will be distributed widely to policy makers and key stakeholders.
Welcoming the initiative the BPA’s Corporate Services Manager Sara Walsh said:
“The info graphics and card packs have been designed to promote the UK ports industry to a wider audience outside our sector. There is a reoccurring feeling amongst ports that their role and contribution is not always valued as much as it should be and that stakeholders are not so familiar with the sector. We have also been regularly asked by Ministers to ‘shout louder’ about the ports sector to ensure that when policy decisions are made the industry’s voice is heard.
The promotional cards include statistics relating to employment numbers, marine leisure industry, infrastructure projects, fishing sector and freight handled. It also includes details on our on going ‘Port Futures’ programme and Sustainable Development Resolution which were both launched this year. We will be posting these on social media over the coming weeks and will also be sending physical cards to parliamentarians and policy makers across the UK.”
In terms of its agenda, British Ports Association are continuing to push for areas around ports to be classified with a special planning and enterprise status and for increased public investment in port connectivity schemes to help stimulate port development and growth. These and other issues such ports policy, the economy and Brexit, environment, safety and shipping issues will all be discussed at the BPA’s Annual Conference next week, hosted by the Port of Tyne.