The Largest Ports In The UK 

The United Kingdom is home to some of the busiest ports in the world, handling a significant amount of freight traffic annually. These ports play a critical role in the country’s economy, serving as gateways for international trade and commerce. This blog will rank the UK’s largest ports based on their annual freight volume. 

The ranking will provide an overview of the country’s maritime industry, highlighting the ports driving growth and contributing to the UK’s position as a global trade leader. Join us as we explore the top ports in the UK. 

The UKs Largest Sea Ports by Freight Handled

Port of London 

The Port of London, also known as the Thames Port, is a major hub for shipping and commerce in the United Kingdom. It is located along the River Thames and serves as a gateway for international trade, connecting the UK with the rest of the world. In 2021, the Port of London was once again the largest in the UK by freight handled, handling an impressive 51.7 million metric tons of cargo. This marks the third consecutive year the port has held this title, demonstrating its continued dominance and importance within the UK’s maritime industry.

The Port of London offers a wide range of facilities and services, including terminals for container ships, bulk cargo, and ro-ro vessels. It is well-equipped to handle a variety of goods, including food and agricultural products, chemicals, and construction materials. The port’s strategic location and excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive freight handling capabilities, the Port of London is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. It has implemented a number of measures to reduce its carbon footprint and minimise its impact on the local community and environment. These efforts have helped the port maintain its position as one of the leading ports in the UK and a key player in the global maritime industry.

Port of Grimsby & Immingham

Grimsby and Immingham are two ports located on the east coast of England that together form one of the largest and busiest ports in the United Kingdom. In 2021, the combined ports handled 50.03 million metric tons of cargo, making them a major player in the UK’s maritime industry. The ports have a long and rich history, dating back over a century, and have been at the forefront of the UK’s maritime industry for many years.

Grimsby and Immingham are known for their efficient and cost-effective handling of a wide range of goods, including food and agricultural products, chemicals, and construction materials. The ports offer state-of-the-art facilities, including deepwater berths and modern terminal facilities, making them well-equipped to handle the needs of today’s shipping industry. They also have excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, making them easily accessible for businesses and cargo ships.

While Grimsby and Immingham may have been overtaken by the Port of London as the largest port in the UK by freight handled, they remain an important and influential player in the UK’s maritime industry. Their commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and efficient and effective cargo handling make them an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods. The ports’ rich history and continued relevance in the industry make them a valuable contributor to the UK’s position as a global trade leader.

Port of Liverpool 

The Port of Liverpool is a historic and vibrant port located on the northwest coast of England. It has a rich maritime history dating back to the 16th century and has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for over 400 years. In 2021, the port handled 34.45 million metric tons of cargo, making it one of the largest ports in the UK.

The Port of Liverpool has various facilities and services, including terminals for container ships, ro-ro vessels, and bulk cargo. It is well-equipped to handle a variety of goods, including food and agricultural products, chemicals, and construction materials. The port’s excellent transport links, including road, rail, and air connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, the Port of Liverpool is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

The Port of Liverpool is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Milford Haven

Milford Haven is a port located on the west coast of Wales and is one of the largest and busiest ports in the United Kingdom. With a rich maritime history dating back over 200 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 30.32 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry.

Milford Haven offers many facilities and services, including terminals for bulk cargo, ro-ro vessels, and liquid bulk. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including petroleum products, chemicals, and construction materials. Its location on the west coast of Wales and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Milford Haven is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Milford Haven is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Southampton

Southampton is a historic port located on the south coast of England and is one of the largest and busiest ports in the United Kingdom. With a rich maritime history dating back over 800 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 27.6 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry.

Southampton offers a wide range of facilities and services, including terminals for container ships, ro-ro vessels, and bulk cargo. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including food and agricultural products, chemicals, and construction materials. Its location on the south coast of England and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Southampton is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Southampton is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Tees & Hartlepool

Tees & Hartlepool is a major port located on the northeast coast of England and is one of the largest and busiest ports in the United Kingdom. With a rich maritime history dating back over 200 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 26.83 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry.

Tees & Hartlepool offers many facilities and services, including terminals for bulk cargo, ro-ro vessels, and liquid bulk. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including steel, petrochemicals, and construction materials. Its location on the northeast coast of England and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Tees & Hartlepool is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Tees & Hartlepool is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Felixstowe

Felixstowe is a historic port located on the east coast of England and is one of the largest and busiest container ports in the United Kingdom. With a rich maritime history dating back over 100 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 21.47 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry.

Felixstowe offers a wide range of facilities and services, including a large container terminal that is capable of handling some of the largest container ships in the world. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including consumer goods, electronics, and food and agricultural products. Its location on the east coast of England and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Felixstowe is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Felixstowe is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Dover 

Dover is a historic port located on the southeast coast of England and is one of the busiest ferry ports in the world. With a rich maritime history dating back over 2,000 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 19.87 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry.

Dover offers a wide range of facilities and services, including ferry terminals, a cargo terminal, and a marina. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including consumer goods, electronics, and food and agricultural products. Its location on the southeast coast of England and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Dover is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is currently undergoing a major expansion project, which includes the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Dover is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Belfast 

Belfast is a historic port in Northern Ireland and one of the largest ports in the UK. With a rich maritime history dating back over 200 years, the port has been a major hub for shipping and commerce for many years. In 2021, the port handled 19.87 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry. It’s interesting to note that it handled the same amount of tonnage as the Port of Dover.

Belfast offers a wide range of facilities and services, including a large container terminal, a bulk cargo terminal, and a ro-ro terminal. The port is well equipped to handle a variety of goods, including consumer goods, electronics, and food and agricultural products. Its location in Northern Ireland and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, Belfast is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including the construction of new berths, terminal facilities, and transportation links. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

Belfast is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its rich history, efficient operations, and commitment to the future make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.

Port of Forth

The Port of Forth is located on the East coast of Scotland and is one of the largest ports in the UK. In 2021, it handled 19.78 million metric tons of cargo, making it a significant player in the UK’s maritime industry. The port is known for its efficient and modern facilities and commitment to sustainable operations.

The Port of Forth offers a variety of services, including container handling, ro-ro services, and bulk cargo handling. It is well-equipped to handle a range of goods, including consumer goods, machinery, and construction materials. The port’s location on Scotland’s East coast and its excellent transport links, including road and rail connections, make it a popular destination for businesses looking to import and export goods.

In addition to its impressive cargo handling capabilities, the Port of Forth is committed to the future and has ambitious plans for growth and development. The port is undergoing a major expansion project, including constructing new berths and terminal facilities. These developments will help the port meet the increasing demand for cargo handling services and support its continued growth in the years to come.

The Port of Forth is a valuable contributor to the UK’s maritime industry and a key player in the global shipping market. Its modern facilities, efficient operations, and commitment to sustainable development make it an exciting and important port to watch in the coming years.