Seaports in the United Kingdom

UK seaports' order of importance alters when measured by the value of cargo handled as opposed to cargo volume. Ports recording a high value of trade throughput tend to be those with significant unitised traffic. Ports with a high value of trade throughput also tend to be more significant employers. Goods transport between UK ports and the hinterland is dominated by road. Rail's share of port traffic has continued to fall. Competition exists between UK ports, between UR and European ports, and between UK ports and other modes, notably rail aa the Channel Tunnel. Competition between ports exists irrespective of whether ports are privately or publicly owned. Major structural changes in various shipping sectors could adversely impact UK ports, although opportunities still exist, The balance of the UK ports industry has been fundamentally altered in favour of the private sector, yet the UK approach (to privatisation) remains very different to that in evidence elsewhere. The past two-three decades has been a period of intense change for the UK ports industry, with further change inevitable.