PORTS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
A THRIVING PORTS INDUSTRY: Keeping Britain Supplied and Connected
while Protecting the Environment
9 September 2013
WHO ARE THE STRATEGIC PARTNERS?
The Government Departments with maritime interests work with a wide range of
partners, in particular:
 The United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG), which is the trade association
representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom

The British Ports Association (BPA), which represents a wide range of ports,
terminal operators and port facilities.
WHY IS THE PORTS SECTOR IMPORTANT?

UK ports handled 501 million tonnes (Mt) of freight traffic in 2012. That is more
than eight tonnes (a small lorry-load) for every person in the UK.

UK ports handled over 21.1 million international passengers in 2011 and more
than 1.6 million passengers began or ended an international cruise in the UK
(trebling since 2001).

During a difficult economic period, ports invested more than £1.4bn between
2007 and 2011. Much more investment is in the pipeline and more still is
consented.
WHY HAVE A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP?
By working together with common purpose, we can achieve more. This dynamic
strategic framework will:
 improve cross Government understanding of different Departmental policy
considerations on ports and shipping;
 facilitate a Ministerial/industry discussion programme;
 agree joint priorities and actions; and
 provide a cohesive platform for future strategic development.
HOW DOES THE STRATEGIC PLAN WORK?
It sets out an overview:
This plan sets out in a simple graphic form the various activities being taken
forward by Government, by industry and by other interested parties in order to
deliver our overarching ambition of
A THRIVING PORTS INDUSTRY.
It clarifies tasking:
It is intended that the more detailed version of the plan will be updated regularly
with the specific initiatives being pursued by different parties at any time with
clear deadlines.
It will evolve dynamically:
This plan is not intended to be a set piece. It will evolve as new actions, tasks and
decisions are shaped and agreed.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?
For the next twelve to eighteen months, the Government and the industry have
jointly identified three priority areas: cross-Government co-ordination, effective
international engagement (particularly in the EU) and improved planning. We will
work to deliver these priorities and will periodically review them.
1. EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATION ACROSS GOVERNMENT
All relevant Departments will take full account of the industry's unique features
when formulating policies that could affect them, thus ensuring co-ordination and
avoiding, at worst, inconsistency. We shall do this by further developing this
Strategic Partnership, and will continue a series of Ministerial Round Tables with
industry to promote a common understanding of problems and to identify
solutions.
2. A MORE CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO THE EU
To ensure an agreed clear UK approach to European legislation affecting the
ports industry, we shall work more closely together on this no matter which
Government Department has the formal lead in negotiations. We shall do this by
establishing joint working groups where appropriate. This has already begun, for
example, in liaison about the Commission's proposed port services Regulation.
3. IMPROVED MARINE AND LANDSIDE PLANNING FOR PORTS
Potentially divergent objectives of port development and environmental protection
will be addressed so that marine and landside planning takes account of the
economic importance of ports and shipping. We shall do this by seeing that
ports' interests are thoroughly weighed in decisions on Marine Conservation
Zones. Departments and agencies will work together to simplify the application
process for planning and related consents.
HOW WILL WE EVALUATE?
This is a rolling strategic programme and we will undertake to evaluate its
achievements and development in summer 2014.
CONTACT DETAILS
Department for Transport – ports@dft.gsi.gov.uk
British Ports Association – info@britishports.org.uk
The United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG) – lisa@ukmajorports.org.uk
Maritime UK – jroberts@ukchamberofshipping.com
Efficient operations
A THRIVING PORTS INDUSTRY: KEEPING BRITAIN SUPPLIED AND CONNECTED WHILE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
1.4 To support
wider business
in the port estate
and port-related
business
elsewhere
including
through LEPs
1.5 To ensure
individual ports
are resilient to
natural or manmade disruption
1.2 To enable free
movement of trade
and people
PROTECTED MARITIME ENVIRONMENT
- landside & marine side
2.5 To incentivise
early and effective
inland/coastal
access to ports
1.3 To continue to
improve logistics
and supply chains
2.2 To make the
landside planning
system more
efficient and
effective with
more foreseeable
outcomes
3.8 To secure
long-term resilient
port capacity
nationally through
private sector
investment in a
competitive ports
sector
2.1 To use early
& sustained
engagement to
influence
emerging EU port
policies
3.7 To invest
to innovate
2.3 To
minimize the
regulatory
burden on
ports
3.4 To
facilitate the
building of port
capacity to
meet future
demand
3.2 To encourage
port investment by
strengthening
confidence in long
term energy
demand
Objectives:
Yellow
Primarily Government
Blue
4.4 To safeguard wharves
for future maritime use
while facilitating
regeneration or other
alternative uses of
redundant waterside
estate
4.3 To maintain constructive
dialogue with devolved
administrations, including
where ports policy is
devolved
3.3 To promote
UK as a place to
do maritime
business
4.1 To develop the
ports sector strategy
action plan & crossGovernment
interests
3.1 To understand
the drivers of port
demand growth
Goals
4.5 To avoid grants or
subsidies distorting
competition and
investment in the ports
industry
3.6 To ensure
ports can
prosper in fair
competition
with others
3.5 To
recognize and
provide good
access to
existing and
new port
facilities
4.2 To review &
improve crossGovernment
mechanisms and
ensure consistent
policy making
Effective Coordination across
Government
Innovation and investment
KEY:
POSITIVE “LOCAL” CONTRIBUTION
- enterprise & community
2.4 To ensure the marine
planning system and marine
licensing recognize the
importance of socioeconomic activity and the
need for economic growth
1.1 To achieve
competitive
pricing for port
services
Light, stable regulation
SUCCESSFUL GATEWAYS FOR UK TRADE & TRAVEL
- today & tomorrow
1.6 To promote
and enhance
operational skills
in the port workforce
Primarily industry and trade unions
Both
Joint stream of work
5.6 To tackle
congestion on portcritical inland access
routes including
through modal shift
5.4 To further
reduce any local
pollution from
port operations
5.3 To ensure
MCZs deliver
ecological
benefits while
taking social and
economic
factors into
account
5.1 To maintain
and promote
port landside
and marine
safety
5.5 To develop
more representative evidence on
marine habitats,
less biased
towards
economically
exploited zones
5.2 to implement
effective,
proportionate and
cost-effective ISPS
and other port
security
requirements
Active engagement in safety,
environmental and security agendas
9 September 2013