UK Government Launches Ports Policy Review

Among the most important themes that the Ports Policy Review sets out for consultation are:

– the national, regional and local policy dimensions;

– expected capacity requirements at national level for different types of cargo;

– inland and coastal connections by road, rail and water;

– environmental issues;

– competition at national and international level;

– governance and accountability in a mixed-ownership sector;

– making the most of smaller ports; and – whether there is scope for improving ports planning procedures.

Dr Ladyman said, ‘International trade in goods accounts for nearly 30% of our GDP, and ports are overwhelmingly the gateways to the global distribution network.

They are crucial to our success in a global economy. And ports have wider impacts upon our economy, society and environment, which Government has to address.

‘The Ports Policy Review which I’m launching today should inform, and set the right limits for, future Government involvement in what is already a thriving, largely commercial sector.’

The views of stakeholders and of other interested parties are being sought over the coming three months. The Department will then consider the responses to this consultation in detail and work with the Welsh Assembly Government, DRD Northern Ireland and other departments towards a revised policy framework for ports in the first half of 2007.

The Ports Policy Review (PPR) covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is being taken forward by the Department in association with the Welsh National Government and DRD Northern Ireland, as well as other interested departments including the DEFRA, DTI and DCLG (the former ODPM). Policy on Scottish ports is largely devolved, and is being taken forward under the aegis of the Scottish Executive’s National Transport Strategy.

To help inform consideration of the broad strategic issues set out in the PPR, the Department commissioned the consultants MDS Transmodal to produce two reports.

UK Port Demand Forecasts to 2030, covers all major cargo sectors.

These demand forecasts highlight lift-on lift-off (lo-lo) containers, roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) lorries and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as areas where substantial growth is to be expected in the period up to 2030. Some other cargo sectors are also expected to experience substantial localised growth.

With narrower focus, the Container Port Transhipment Study will look at the determinants and consequences of the mix between delivery of lo-lo containers by large deep-sea vessels, and by smaller ships transhipping cargo from large hub ports (such as Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg), mainly on the continent of Europe.

Some 95% of Britain’s international trade, by tonnage, arrives by sea. The bulk of the PPR (including the MDS reports) is concerned with cargo. On the passenger side, the Government notes the contrasting trends in, and prospects for, the ferry and cruise markets.

The review of municipal ports looks at three categories of port ownership in the UK: company ports, ‘trust ports’ (governed by boards with varying constitutions) and local authority-owned or municipal ports. The Department conducted a review of municipal ports around England and Wales following a commitment in Modern Ports, published in November 2002. The report published last month, Opportunities for Ports in Local Authority Ownership, reviews municipal ports’ management structures and practices to ensure that municipal ports are playing a full and accountable part in the local and regional economy.

At all stages the Department has consulted with ODPM/ DCLG, the Welsh Assembly, the British Ports Association and the municipal ports group itself.

The review’s main recommendation is that the local authorities consider setting up a municipal harbour management committee within existing Council structures, including external stakeholders with relevant expertise.

To access the Ports Policy Review and the Municipal Ports Review, click on the following link: http: //www. dft. gov. uk/ stellent/groups/dft_shipping/ documents/divisionhomepage/ 611692. hcsp