As a nation, whilst remaining an important exporter, the UK has become increasingly reliant upon goods imported from abroad, particularly from the Far East. As we continue to consume, pressure is put upon the country’s ports to handle ever-greater volumes of cargo.

Current research predicts that, in the period 2002 to 2010, the direct import/export throughput of major UK container ports will increase by 50-53%, with further growth of 83-100% up to 2025. This implies average annual growth of 4-5% over the period.

It is vitally important that the UK secures its competitive position by providing modern deep-water container capacity, able to accommodate the latest generation of container vessels. The consolidation of freight into ever-larger container vessels means that it is necessary to invest in further deep-water capacity to accommodate these huge vessels. If the UK port industry is not able to provide adequate capacity to service these vessels cost effectively and quickly, there is a likelihood that this trade will be lost to competing European ports and economies.