UK ports' volumes 11% down in first half of the year

The UK’s imports and exports by sea fell year-on-year by 11% in the first half of the year, according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).
In total, the UK’s ports handled 246m tonnes of cargo over the first half, down from 276m tonnes a year earlier.
Imports were down 12% year-on-year, while exports were down 8.4%.
DfT figures also showed declines worsened as the year progressed, with tonnage 13% down in the second quarter, compared to a 9% decline in the first quarter.
The grouped ports of Grimsby and Immingham were the busiest over the first half, handling 27m tonnes, 20% down on a year earlier, with the London ports second busiest with 23m tonnes, 18% down year-on-year.
Of the UK’s five busiest ports, Tees and Hartlepool suffered the worst volume decline in the first half, with traffic dropping 23% to 18.6m tonnes.

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