Sea passenger statistics, all routes: 2024
Sea passenger statistics for movements to and from the UK on international and domestic journeys in 2024.
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The number of cruise passengers in 2019, 2022 and 2023 has been revised due to an over-estimation of passengers at Southampton for these years. The trends are not affected.
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Annual statistics on the number of sea passengers which include all vehicle drivers, their passengers and foot passengers on ferries and cruise ships.
For international passengers in 2024:
- the total number of international short sea passengers (on ferry routes) grew by 1% to 15.3 million but remained 17% below 2019 levels
- cruise passengers increased to 3.1 million in 2024, a 16% increase from 2.6 million in 2023 and a 51% increase from 2.0 million in 2019
For domestic passengers in 2024:
- the total number of passengers on domestic sea crossings remained stable at 3.8 million, but was 9% higher than 2019 levels
- inter-island passengers were at similar levels to 2023, but remained 14% lower than in 2019
- the number of passengers on river ferries increased 3% compared to 2023 and was 7% lower than in 2019
Guidance on current and previous sea passenger statistics are available.
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Sea passenger statistics
Email sea-passenger.stats@dft.gov.uk
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