UK port freight edges higher as deep-sea routes gain ground
Official 2025 figures show imports rising and exports falling, while deep-sea traffic grew against a decline in short-sea tonnage and units.
UK Maritime
UK ports, shipping, vessels, operators, maritime policy and infrastructure developments across the United Kingdom.
UK ports, shipping and maritime policy
The UK Maritime desk brings together reporting on ports, shipping operations, infrastructure, vessel activity and policy developments that affect the country’s maritime economy.
Named port profiles, including the Port of Felixstowe, provide a direct route to related Gazette reports. Coverage is organised to help readers follow a local development through its wider trade, logistics and regulatory context.
Published reporting
Reporting archive
Government proposes National Minimum Wage equivalence and work-time limits for Channel seafarers
A Department for Transport consultation would guarantee pay equivalent to the National Minimum Wage for journeys between the UK, France and the Channel Islands and introduce limits on sea-work and rest periods, while several operators have secured Seafarers' Charter status.
UK Flag Forum puts training, fuels and autonomy on the agenda
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s 2025 forum brought shipping figures and policymakers together to examine the future of the UK flag and the rules around new technology.
UK consultation seeks to extend Polar Code to more vessels and tighten environmental safeguards
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency asked stakeholders to comment on draft regulations that would bring additional vessel types into the Polar Code and introduce measures to reduce pollution risks in polar ecosystems.
Amber-2 satellite reaches design milestone ahead of maritime security launch
Horizon Technologies’ radio-frequency satellite is intended to help identify maritime activity when vessels stop transmitting through their Automatic Identification System.