Real port value vital to UK economy
UK port contributions to the nations gross domestic product remain strong but the number of employees in direct port employment is down, according to a new report from the Crown Estate.
The report, researched and written in conjunction with Associated British Ports and Oil & Gas UK, finds that the UK ports industry contributes as much as £5bn annually to the country’s GDP, but its calculation of 54,000 people in direct port employment is “far fewer” than 30 years ago.
A further 19,700 are employed in port-related jobs in the UK.
“Overall, there has been steady growth in UK port activity over the past 5 years, mainly by more efficient use of existing port structures; however, new facilities with riverside berths (as opposed to docking) are needed to accommodate further expected expansion,” said the report.
The ‘Socio-economic indicators of marine-related activities in the UK economy’ report also revealed that the UK’s marine economy contributes nearly £50bn to the UK’s annual GDP, around 6% of the overall economy.
The report is available online at www.thecrownestate.co.uk/socio_economic_uk_marine.pdf.
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