The most recent quarterly port freight statistics from January to March 2025, published by the UK Department for Transport, show a solid rise in freight traffic across the country’s major ports. The total freight volume passing through the UK’s main ports grew by 5% year-on-year, reaching 107.4 million tonnes. This growth is a clear indication of the continued importance of UK ports to both domestic and international trade, despite some challenges in specific sectors.
Breakdown of Freight Traffic in Q1 2025
The report highlights several key areas where freight traffic saw changes:
- Inbound and Outbound Freight: Inward freight, which represents goods coming into the UK, rose by 7%, reaching 72.8 million tonnes. Outbound freight, which includes exports, grew slightly by less than 1%, reaching 34.6 million tonnes. This suggests that while imports remain strong, the export sector is showing slower growth.
- Unitized Traffic: Unitized traffic, which refers to goods transported in containers or other standardized units, also saw an uptick of 3%, reaching 4.8 million units in the first quarter. Over the rolling year ending March 2025, unitized traffic grew by 2%, totalling 21.3 million units. Overall tonnage for the year also saw a modest increase of 2%, amounting to 425.9 million tonnes.
Specific Cargo Growth and Declines
Certain categories of freight showed significant changes:
- Liquid Bulk Cargoes: Liquid bulk cargoes saw a notable 6% increase, reaching 41 million tonnes. A large portion of this growth came from Milford Haven, where liquefied natural gas (LNG) traffic surged by 31%. Milford Haven is a key energy port, particularly important for LNG imports, playing a crucial role in the UK’s energy infrastructure.
- Container Traffic: Container volume at UK ports increased by 13% to 18.2 million tonnes, with London port leading this growth with a 16% increase. This reflects the ongoing demand for containerized goods, particularly in the capital and surrounding areas.
- Dry Bulk Cargoes: On the flip side, dry bulk tonnage dropped by 4%, falling to 19 million tonnes. The major reason for this decline was the 99% drop in cargo volume at Port Talbot, a significant industrial port in South Wales. The decrease in cargo is directly related to the closure of blast furnaces at Port Talbot’s steelworks in September 2024, part of the move to transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Ro-Ro Freight and Other Key Trends
- Ro-Ro Freight: Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight, which involves vehicles such as trucks and cars being driven onto ships, saw a steady increase of 4%, reaching 23.6 million tonnes. However, an 8% drop in non-freight Ro-Ro units was observed, mainly due to operational difficulties at ports like Tyne and Holyhead. P&O Ferries, however, increased its capacity on the London (Tilbury)–Rotterdam route by 60%, showing positive growth in this area.
- Brexit and Energy Industry Impact: The report also notes that Brexit continues to have an impact on UK port freight volumes, particularly in terms of trade with Europe. Additionally, changes in the energy sector, such as the shift away from coal to renewable energy, are affecting freight volumes, especially in ports like Port Talbot, which has seen a decrease in freight linked to its steel production.
Key Ports and Their Role in UK Freight Traffic
The UK’s major ports each have distinct roles in handling different types of cargo:
- Milford Haven: Situated in Wales, Milford Haven is one of the UK’s largest energy ports. It handles large volumes of liquid bulk cargoes, particularly LNG, and plays an essential role in the country’s energy supply.
- Port Talbot: Port Talbot, also in South Wales, has long been a major port for steel manufacturing. The recent closure of blast furnaces, as part of a shift toward greener energy sources, has caused a sharp drop in freight traffic, impacting the overall port volume.
- Port of Tilbury: Located on the River Thames, the Port of Tilbury is an essential hub for containers and Ro-Ro freight, serving London and the South East. It is a key port for handling trade in and out of the capital.
- Grimsby and Immingham: On England’s east coast, these ports are major players in handling Ro-Ro freight and liquid bulk traffic. By tonnage, they rank among the busiest ports in the UK, supporting both domestic and international trade.
The UK’s port freight figures for Q1 2025 reveal a mixed but generally positive picture. While certain sectors like dry bulk cargo and non-freight Ro-Ro units have struggled due to industrial changes and operational issues, there is clear growth in areas such as liquid bulk cargo, container traffic, and overall freight volumes. As the country continues to navigate the impacts of Brexit, energy transitions, and global trade shifts, UK ports remain vital hubs for economic activity. The upcoming full-year statistics for 2025, due in the summer of 2026, will provide a clearer picture of the long-term trends in port freight across the UK.
