New vision for UK ports will propel prosperity in Britain’s coastal communities
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-05)

Have your say on the draft revised national policy statement for ports until 29 July 2025.

- plans to boost expansion of maritime ports to propel economic growth and support jobs across the country, as part of the Plan for Change
- new guidance will help ports save time and money on planning applications to expand sites, opening up jobs and opportunities in coastal communities
- plans will secure the long-term future of the maritime industry, inviting private investment into coastal communities and supporting development of green technologies, delivering on the UK’s clean energy ambitions
Coastal communities across England stand to benefit from proposals set out yesterday (4 June 2025), which will better support ports to deliver important national infrastructure more quickly, helping to boost local economies and jobs.

The proposals aim to streamline the planning process for ports in England and expedite planning applications by more clearly outlining the existing needs for port facilities and how to design applications to meet the latest requirements to avoid process delays.

For instance, updated proposals will more clearly outline how ports can meet obligations on noise and emissions, increasing the likelihood of achieving successful planning approvals and saving time and money during the planning process. Greater clarity, fewer delays and reduced costs will give ports the confidence they need to expand, creating more local, skilled jobs and driving money back into communities.

The plans tie in with wider reforms, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3946) and will see ports going further and faster with commercial projects, helping to secure millions of pounds in investment and supporting jobs across the country.

By enabling ports to go further and faster with their infrastructure projects, the UK aims to build on the levels of investment already flowing into ports.

Just last month, it was announced that £35 million is being driven into the Port of Liverpool to develop a new deep-water terminal, while just under £1 billion is being invested in the Port of Tyne to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Revisions to the national policy statement for ports (NPSP) (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-amendments-to-the-existing-national-policy-statement-for-ports) will also see planning decisions judged and approved, against the need to kickstart economic growth and cement the UK as a clean energy superpower.

Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said:

Ports are the lifeblood of the UK economy, keeping the country moving and trading, and are vital in unlocking prosperity and opportunity for our coastal communities.

We are determined to deliver the projects that will make a real difference to local people, turbocharge economic growth and create jobs as part of our Plan for Change.

The proposals have been published alongside the UK’s port freight demand forecasts (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-port-freight-traffic-2024-forecasts), which show an expected rise in UK port freight tonnage overall, particularly of roll-on-roll-off cargo such as cars, buses, trailers, etc, as well as containers and dry bulks.

Taking these forecasts into account, the revisions will help secure the long-term future of ports, ensuring they are equipped to handle growing trade demands and to best meet the needs of the country in terms of the movements of goods and people.

Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said:

The ports industry is optimistic about its long-term future, with significant growth expected in trade volumes and other sectors such as offshore wind. 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.

Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of UK Major Ports Group, said:

Ports are central to delivering the government’s ambitions on economic growth and clean energy and the draft national policy statement rightly recognises the vital role our sector plays across the UK – alongside the need to unlock its full potential by speeding up consents for sustainable port development.

With the right policy frameworks, major ports can double the levels of private investment – going further and faster – opportunity for coastal communities nationwide.

Matt Beeton, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne, said:

Growth at our ports is vital to the UK economy. The government’s modernisation agenda will reset the maritime sector, attract significant investment, ensure our ports are fit for the future and boost generational employment opportunities.

Claudio Veritiero, CEO of Peel Ports Group, said:

Ports are the unsung heroes of the UK economy, and this is an extremely encouraging development. We have invested more than £1 billion in the last decade and intend to exceed that level of investment in the coming years.

We want to be able to invest for the future, creating jobs and opportunities right across the country and anything that streamlines that process and allows us to create conditions for economic growth is to be welcomed.

Professor Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, Chief Executive of Maritime UK, said:

We welcome this announcement, which will provide valuable support for our coastal communities. These regions represent a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation, vital for strengthening our proud maritime nation. We appreciate the government’s continued commitment to the maritime sector and this announcement highlights just that.

Industry and the wider public are now invited to give their views on the proposals as part of a consultation on the NPSP.

This is part of the government’s determination to go lockstep with the sector, to ensure prosperity for industry as well as for people across the UK.

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