Ports play an important role in the international business scenario. Throughout the history of UK and still now UK seaports and river ports have played an important role in its economic prosperity. That it is now the fourth largest economy is the world is mainly due to the 52 major ports spread all through its long coastline dealing with the export and import of 95% of the goods that are consumed or produced in UK. By virtue of its long coastline and rich historical heritage, UK shipping industry is the largest one in Europe. According to a 2008 statistics, UK shipping ports handled trade worth around £340 billion in that financial year.
However over the last two decades, with the introduction of privatization and the ending of the National Dock Labour Scheme, the settings of UK ports have changed a lot. We at Maritime Information shall be providing you up-to-date UK port information so that you can cope up with the evolving scenario of UK Ports and be in a better position to conduct your business activities efficiently.
- At present there are three categories of governance of ports in UK – private ownership, municipal control, run by a trust.
- All the ports of UK are free from Government support or subsidy and open to market forces, operating independently as stand-alone, self-financing enterprises.
- A majority of raw materials entering or leaving UK ports include oil, chemicals, petroleum, ores, grains and feedstuffs. While finished products include vehicles, fresh foods, steel, timber, building materials, machinery etc.
- These ports also provide some additional services to the offshore energy industry, maintaining ferry links to island communities, providing auction markets for the fishing industry etc.
- With the leisure travel industry of UK performing quite well these days, cruise liners has now become a sizeable source of revenue for the ports of UK.
- Irrespective of their size, operation or volume of trade handled, the ports contribute heavily to the local economy not only through the scope of employment it facilitates, but also in other ways like providing a place for leisure and recreational activities and thus promoting tourism industry for that area.
The functioning of UK shipping ports is a complex and hectic thing to understand. However the availability of viable information that is at the same time easy to understand is scarce. At Maritime Information you shall get updated and proper information along with reviews of major UK ports helping you to run and expand your business efficiently.