Port freight quarterly statistics: October to December 2023
Provisional quarterly statistics on freight handled by UK major ports for October to December 2023.
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From December 2023, we have discontinued PORT0501 from the quarterly port freight statistics due to low user engagement. PORT0501 presented tonnage and unit totals at the national level as indices. National level tonnage and unit totals will remain available in PORT0502.
We continue to welcome any feedback on any aspect of the port freight statistics (see contact details).
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards.
When comparing October to December 2023 with October to December 2022 through UK major ports:
- total freight tonnage decreased by 7% to 102.6 million tonnes
- inward tonnage decreased by 5% to 68.4 million tonnes
- outward tonnage decreased by 12% to 34.1 million tonnes
- total volume of unitised traffic decreased by 3% to 4.6 million units
- inward units decreased by 3% to 2.5 million units
- outward units decreased by 4% to 2.2 million units
When comparing the rolling year to December 2023 with December 2022 through UK major ports:
- total tonnage decreased by 5% to 426.3 million tonnes
- total volume of unitised traffic increased by 1% to 20.5 million units
Detailed final annual statistics for 2023 will be published in summer 2024. Annual trends can be explored using our maritime statistics dashboard.
Further information about these statistics is available, including:
- background information on quarterly port freight statistics
- notes and definitions for all port freight statistics
Contact us
Maritime and shipping statistics
Email maritime.stats@dft.gov.uk
Maritime statistics enquiries 020 7944 4847
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
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