The United Kingdom has a long and proud maritime history, and its ports have played a vital role in the country’s economic development. Today, the UK is home to several world-class seaports that handle a wide variety of cargo, from containerized goods to bulk commodities.
Here are the top 10 largest seaports in the UK, based on their annual cargo tonnage:
- Port of Felixstowe
Located in Suffolk, England, the Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest seaport, handling over 11 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containerized cargo per year. It is a major hub for trade with Asia and Europe, and it is home to one of the world’s largest container terminals.
- Port of London
The Port of London is the UK’s second-largest seaport, handling over 50 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for trade with Europe, and it is home to a number of important docks and terminals.
- Port of Liverpool
The Port of Liverpool is the UK’s third-largest seaport, handling over 35 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for trade with Ireland and North America, and it is home to a number of important docks and terminals.
- Port of Immingham
The Port of Immingham is the UK’s fourth-largest seaport, handling over 32 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for bulk cargo, such as coal and oil, and it is home to many important terminals.
- Port of Southampton
The Port of Southampton is the UK’s fifth-largest seaport, handling over 30 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for cruise ships, and it is home to some important terminals.
- Port of Tees
The Port of Tees is the UK’s sixth-largest seaport, handling over 25 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for bulk cargo, such as steel and chemicals, and it is home to several important terminals.
- Port of Humber
The Port of Humber is the UK’s seventh largest seaport, handling over 20 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for bulk cargo, such as coal and oil, and it is home to many important terminals.
- Port of Dover
The Port of Dover is the UK’s eighth-largest seaport, handling over 15 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for ferry traffic, and it is home to one of the world’s busiest ferry terminals.
- Port of Sheerness
The Port of Sheerness is the UK’s ninth-largest seaport, handling over 12 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for bulk cargo, such as grain and cement, and it is home to some important terminals.
- Port of Bristol
The Port of Bristol is the UK’s tenth-largest seaport, handling over 10 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is a major hub for bulk cargo, such as coal and oil, and it is home to several important terminals.
These ten seaports are vital to the UK’s economy, and they play a major role in connecting the country to the rest of the world. They are constantly investing in new technologies and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for maritime trade.