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Policy paper

The national policy statement for ports

A framework for making decisions about UK port development proposals.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
6 July 2026
Last updated:
19 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Correct national policy statement file added to page.

  2. Revised national policy statement for ports added.

  3. First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

National policy statement for ports

PDF, 2.31 MB, 103 pages

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Details

The national policy statement for ports (NPSP) sets out a framework to support decision-making in relation to UK port development proposals. It is also relevant to associated road and rail links.

Following consultation on amending the existing policy statement and Parliamentary scrutiny, this NPSP replaced the previous version of the NPSP, published in 2012, with effect from 15 October 2026.

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