British Ports Association

The British Ports Association (BPA) is the national association for ports and harbours, representing over 400 port facilities and terminals across the UK. Collectively these members handle over 86% of the UK’s seaborne trade as well as providing vital gateways for energy, tourism, marine leisure and fishing. The BPA promotes the sector and represents the interests of its members to the UK and devolved Governments, as well as to other national and international bodies. Also membership is an indication of responsible and dynamic port management. It demonstrates the proper consideration and prioritisation of a variety duties, including issues concerning regulatory, legal and environmental compliance as well as employee professional development, that ports outside the BPA often do not always value.

The UK ports industry plays a fundamentally important role in the country’s economy. 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through UK ports which also handle 25 million international passenger journeys each year.

BPA members represent a very broad cross section of the UK port industry encompassing the trust, private and municipal sectors. Its members cover every kind of activity ranging from large cargo handling ports and terminal operators to small leisure ports.

The spread of these interests mean that the Association maintains a very wide range of contacts within the government. Full membership is available to all port authorities whilst associate membership is available to terminal operators and industry related organisations.

Ports fall into one of three types of ownership, privatised, local authority, or trust. All three models are equally open to market forces, and are run independently as stand-alone, self-financing commercial enterprises, free from systematic government support or subsidy.

The BPA is the only inclusive ports trade association representing its members’ interests, irrespective of ownership or size.

For more information visit the BPA website https://www.britishports.org.uk/