Amount of freight passing through main UK ports up 5% YoY in Q1 2025

While outbound tonnage increased by a little less than 1 per cent YoY to 34.6 million tonnes, inward freight increased by 7 per cent to 72.8 million tonnes during the quarter.

The volume of unitised traffic increased by 3 per cent YoY to 4.8 million units during the quarter. Unitised traffic climbed by 2 per cent YoY to 21.3 million units during the rolling year ending in March 2025, while total tonnage increased by 2 per cent to 425.9 million tonnes.

Liquid bulk cargo increased by 6 per cent YoY in Q1 2025 to 41 million tonnes in the United Kingdom, while dry bulk tonnage decreased by 4 per cent YoY to 19 million tonnes.

Container tonnage increased by 13 per cent YoY to 18.2 million tonnes in Q1 2025. London was the main contributor to this growth, with a 0.8 million tonnes rise—a 16-per cent YoY increase, the largest increase among major UK ports.

When measured in units, container traffic rose by 9 per cent YoY in Q1. This was primarily driven by a 73,000-unit (24 per cent) increase at London and a 29,000-unit (6 per cent) increase at Felixstowe.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)