Accredited official statistics: Port freight annual statistics: 2025

This statistical release provides information on trends and patterns in the handling of freight traffic at UK sea ports in terms of cargo (units and tonnage) and the route taken. 

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing [email protected] with any comments about how we meet these standards.

In 2025, all UK ports handled a total of 428.3 million tonnes. Tonnage showed little change, decreasing by less than 1% from 2024 to 2025, following a 1% decline last year. 

Below is a summary of the main points from the latest port freight trends. In 2025:

major port traffic showed little change, decreasing by less than 1% from 2024, while minor port traffic declined by 2%

while overall international traffic remained at similar levels to 2024, imports increased by 2% to 237.5 million tonnes and exports decreased by 4% to 98.6 million tonnes 

domestic traffic decreased by 3%, driven by declining coastwise movements of other dry bulk 

contrasting trends were observed across cargo groups, with tonnage declines in liquid bulk (down 2% from 2024), dry bulk (down 3%) and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic (down 2%) being offset by increases in container traffic (up 10%)

liquid bulk saw the largest absolute decline of all cargo groups, down 3.1 million tonnes from 2024, largely driven by declining crude oil traffic, although increases in liquefied natural gas (LNG) did mitigate the magnitude of this overall decline

container tonnage had the largest absolute increase of all cargo groups, up 6.2 million tonnes from 2024, largely driven by additional container traffic at the Port of London (up 38%) following the opening of a fourth berth at London Gateway

In 2025, we introduced the collection and reporting of two new cargo categories.