Posted on August 3, 2026
Containerised cargo handled by UK ports increased 10% in 2025, offsetting declines across the country’s bulk and ro-ro trades.
UK ports handled 428.3m tonnes of freight during the year, down by less than 1% from 2024.
Container tonnage recorded the largest absolute increase of any cargo category, rising by 6.2m tonnes.
The Department for Transport attributed much of the increase to the Port of London, where container traffic rose 38% following the opening of a fourth berth at DP World’s London Gateway terminal.
The additional berth raised London Gateway’s marine capacity and supported continued cargo growth at the Thames facility as DP World expands the terminal and its adjoining logistics park.
Across the UK, imports increased 2% to 237.5m tonnes, while exports fell 4% to 98.6m tonnes.
Liquid bulk traffic declined 2%, reflecting lower crude oil movements, although increased liquefied natural gas volumes partly offset the drop.
Dry bulk cargo fell 3%, while ro-ro traffic decreased 2%.
Domestic port traffic declined 3%, driven mainly by weaker coastwise movements of dry bulk commodities.
