National statistics

Sea passenger statistics, all routes: 2020

Sea passenger statistics for movements to and from the UK on international and domestic journeys in 2020.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
17 November 2021

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Sea passenger statistics, all routes: 2020

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Sea passenger statistics, all routes: 2020 tables

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Sea passenger statistics: notes and definitions

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Changes to these statistics

Currently, the department releases 2 annual publications for sea passenger statistics, 1 in February (on short sea routes only) and 1 in November (on all routes). The second of these releases mostly republishes the same content as the February release with the added coverage of long sea and minor domestic routes. The department is reviewing the frequency of this statistical series and is proposing to publish one combined annual report in the summer instead of 2 separate releases. This is to avoid duplicating content and to improve the overall timeliness of the series. This would mean that the next release covering all routes would be in summer 2022.

Monthly updates to the SPAS0107 tables will continue as usual to provide users with the most up to date information on short sea routes traffic.

We welcome any feedback from users on the proposed new timings (including any negative impact of the reduced frequency) and presentation of the statistics at sea passenger statistics.

Final statistics on the number of sea passengers which include all vehicle drivers, their passengers and foot passengers on ferries and cruise ships. This is an update of the provisional data published in February.

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic affected both international and domestic sea passenger numbers. There was a marked decrease in sea passengers in 2020 compared to previous years.

In 2020:

  • international sea passenger numbers decreased by 66% to 7.0 million
  • domestic sea passenger numbers decreased by 51% to 20.6 million
  • the total number of international short sea passengers (ferry routes) decreased by 63% to 6.9 million in 2020
  • cruise passenger numbers decrease by 95% to 107,000 due to the cruise industry suspending operations at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020

Provisional figures for all sea routes for 2021 are expected to be published in summer 2022 subject to feedback to consultation.

Guidance on current and previous sea passenger statistics are available on the maritime statistics guidance page.

Contact us

Sea passenger statistics

Email sea-passenger.stats@dft.gov.uk

Public enquiries 020 7944 4847

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

Published 17 November 2021

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