The UK’s major ports handled 108 million tonnes of freight in Q2 2024, marking a 1% year-on-year decline, according to the ‘Port Freight Quarterly Statistics: April to June 2024’ report from the UK Department for Transport. Inward traffic dipped by 1% to 72.4 million tonnes, while outward traffic saw a 2% decrease to 35.6 million tonnes. Despite these declines, unitised traffic remained steady at 5.4 million units.
Significant Reductions in Liquid Bulk and Container Tonnage
Liquid bulk and container tonnage experienced notable reductions, while roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight saw a 4% increase. The report also highlighted a more pronounced 5% decrease in total tonnage over the rolling year to June 2024, falling to 418.1 million tonnes.
Sharp Decline in LNG Traffic
Liquid bulk tonnage dropped significantly by 5%, primarily due to a sharp 79% decline in LNG traffic at Medway port. Dry bulk tonnage also decreased by 3%, with Port Talbot, a key hub for dry bulk materials, seeing a 36% reduction as Tata Steel reduced operations.
Container Traffic Decreases, Ro-Ro Freight Increases
Container traffic saw a 7% decrease in tonnage in Q2 2024, with London port experiencing the largest reduction, dropping by 14% to 3.6 million tonnes. However, in terms of units, container traffic grew by 8%, likely driven by an increase in empty containers or lighter cargo loads per container.
On the other hand, Ro-Ro freight performed well, increasing by 4% to 24.3 million tonnes in Q2 2024. This growth was driven by London ports, where Ro-Ro tonnage increased by 39%, and Dover, which saw a 6% increase in Ro-Ro units.
Ongoing Adjustments in Trade Flows Post-Brexit
While some sectors of the UK’s port freight traffic show resilience, the overall decline underscores the ongoing adjustments in trade flows following the UK’s exit from the European Union. The official report, which will provide full details and statistics, is expected to be finalised in July 2025.
