During DSEI 2025, the Board of the UK Major Ports Group was pleased to host Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, Commodore Karen Rees, and colleagues from the UK Ministry of Defence to discuss continued collaboration on major port resilience, Strategic Defence Readiness (SDR), and the enhancement of the UK’s strategic base network.

The discussion reinforced the shared commitment to ensuring that the UK’s major ports can operate effectively as dual-use assets, supporting both national trade and defence objectives. By maintaining open, resilient supply chains and strengthening the UK’s critical logistics infrastructure, we can help ensure that ports remain at the heart of both economic growth and national security.

At the UK Major Ports Group, our Board remains fully committed to advancing cooperation between industry and defence partners – keeping trade flowing, supporting resilience, and enhancing the UK’s capability for strategic military mobility at home and with international allies.