CIAO DATE: 11/2009
March 2009
Ports are vital for the health of the UK economy and the movement of its population. They are gateways into the UK for trade and travel.
· Over 95% of UK imports and exports by volume and 75% by value pass through the country's
ports.
· In terms of tonnage handled, the UK ports sector is the largest in Europe. In 2007, UK ports
handled 580 million tonnes of freight.
· In 2007, 24.8 million international sea passengers went through UK ports. Nearly three quarters
of journeys were to France. Another 14 per cent were to the Republic of Ireland.
· In 2007, 24.2 million domestic sea passengers traveled between ports in the UK. Sea crossings
comprised 4.0 million of these journeys. Inter island journeys the remaining 20.2 million. Of which
10.7 million trips were between Hampshire and Isle of Wight and 8.0 million between the Scottish
islands.
Resource link: The economic contribution of ports to the UK economy [PDF] - 511K