UK waterborne goods moved: coastwise between ports
UK waterborne goods moved: coastwise between ports stood at 15.15 billion tonne kilometres in 2025, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Port and waterborne freight table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2001 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Port and waterborne freight table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods moved on inland and coastal waters | |||||||||||
| Coastwise between UK ports | 15.15 | 15.68 | 18 | 18.66 | 17 | 16.7 | 16.98 | 15.03 | 16.17 | 21.73 | |
| One-port traffic at UK ports | 3.65 | 4.16 | 4.81 | 5.26 | 5.9 | 7.23 | 7.13 | 8.07 | 7.55 | 7.42 |
Understanding UK waterborne goods moved: coastwise between ports
Transport performance for domestic coastwise freight moving between ports is measured in billion tonne kilometres across maritime routes, capturing the haulage work executed as goods travel between distinct domestic harbours. The metric multiplies the weight of cargo lifted by the direct sea distance separating the origin and destination ports within the country. Excluded from this compilation are international trade flows crossing national boundaries, goods moved entirely on land, and one-port traffic involving offshore sites or non-port locations.
Reading this dataset requires accounting for maritime weather disruptions, seasonal shipping schedules, and periodic fleet maintenance cycles that temporarily depress transport activity. Early estimates are routinely revised as port authorities verify vessel manifest data and correct route distance calculations. Analysts should employ annual evaluations to interpret underlying industrial demand accurately, as short-term quarterly figures can be distorted by temporary port closures or vessel reallocation. When comparing coastwise maritime performance with rail freight or road haulage, users must account for the indirect geometry of coastal sea lanes relative to overland transport corridors.
Frequently asked questions
- What is measured by coastwise between ports traffic?
- It measures the movement of commercial cargo by sea between two distinct ports located within the country.
- How does coastwise traffic differ from one-port traffic?
- Coastwise traffic moves strictly between two recognised ports, whereas one-port traffic involves a non-port location, offshore installation, or sea dumping site.
- Are international shipping movements included in this domestic coastwise total?
- No, international imports and exports are classified separately; coastwise traffic is strictly domestic.