Tim Morris, CEO of the UK Major Ports Group – the trade body for the UK’s largest port operators – commented on his appointment to the Government’s Freeports Advisory Panel “UKMPG is delighted to join the Government’s Freeports Advisory Panel. Free Ports are a potentially transformational opportunity for locations with the right conditions and strong […]

Ports have been the global gateways for goods and people for millennia. But today the modern major port offers the potential to drive real supply chain value for port customers and the beneficial cargo owners. I was fortunate enough to chair a panel discussion hosted by UKMPG member DP World at the recent Multimodal exhibition […]

The UK maritime industry is taking a leading stand in the fight against the illegal use of Dangerously Weighted Heaving Lines (“DWHLs”) in UK ports and harbours, an issue spanning the shipping and ports sectors. To coincide with the Department for Transport’s important Maritime Safety Week 2019, #maritimesafetyweek, the British Ports Association, British Tugowners Association, […]

Commenting on today’s warnings from the Road Haulage Association and others about the problems of industry preparing for a no-deal Brexit, Tim Morris, Chief Executive of the UK Major Ports Group said “Regardless of your views on Brexit the right thing to do is to prepare for a range of Brexit outcomes and do so […]

The House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities has been investigating the drivers and solutions for economic and social challenges in communities all around the UK’s coast, recognising the unique characteristics of such communities such as decline of traditional industries and their geography. They have today (Thursday 4th April) published their […]

UKMPG Blog by Tim Morris, CEO MARITIME’S transition to a zero emissions future will necessitate seismic change, and much of the press coverage so far has focused directly on shipping itself, including ultra-low sulphur fuels, scrubbers, shoreside power, LNG and other developments. But a crucial component of any successful outcome will involve building the right […]

There’s a lot of press coverage today about Government funding for regions post Brexit. But the UK’s ports sector has got there first, laying out a ten-point plan of simple reforms that can turbo-charge our ports industry at this vital time for trade in the UK and boost investment, jobs and prosperity in coastal communities all around […]

  A Strategic Freight Network for the UK identified in new report Extent of gridlock on our road and rail key freight arteries exposed Focus on just 2.4% of the road network and 7 out of 1,000 main rail junctions would unlock over 50,000 hours every day, and plough an extra £14.2bn of value into […]

Ports welcome the Government acknowledgement of the success of the UK’s major ports.   We particularly welcome recommendations to enable more port investment that boost UK’s ability to trade with the world post Brexit and grow jobs for coastal communities.   Setting a long-term vision for the UK’s vital maritime sectors is a positive step […]

Commenting on a survey alleging that the UK’s ports were not preparing for Brexit, Tim Morris of the UK Major Ports Group said “The survey is not reflective of the experience of UKMPG members, the very largest ports handling 75% of U.K. port volumes, who have been engaged with considerable Brexit activity. In many cases […]