Supporting Association
The UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG), formed in 1993, represents nine of the UK’s ten largest port operators, accounting for around 75% of the nation’s port traffic through 40 ports across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. As the voice of the UK’s major ports, UKMPG members play a vital role in supporting the country’s economy, handling the vast majority of the UK’s international trade and investing more than £500 million annually in port infrastructure and development.
Ports are essential gateways that connect the UK to global markets, enabling supply chains, supporting British industries, and ensuring the smooth movement of goods that businesses and consumers rely on every day. Beyond cargo and passenger operations, ports serve as major economic hubs, attracting investment in logistics, manufacturing, services and other commercial activities. This generates employment and growth in coastal communities, building on the more than 115,000 jobs directly supported by the ports sector.
The sector is also central to the UK’s sustainability ambitions. Transporting freight by water produces significantly lower emissions than road or air transport, while ports continue to invest in cleaner equipment, vehicles and operations. In addition, ports support biodiversity improvements and provide critical infrastructure for emerging low-carbon industries, including offshore renewable energy and hydrogen.
