UK road goods moved between GB and NI by NI vehicles
UK road goods moved between GB and NI by NI vehicles stood at 0.1 billion tonne-km in Q1 2026, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Freight transport table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q3 2021 to Q1 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Freight transport table
| Indicator | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | Q4-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods moved | |||||||||||
| Goods moved between GB and NI by NI vehicles | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | |
| Goods moved | 41.7 | 40.8 | 40.4 | 41.4 | 38.9 | 42.8 | 41.7 | 42 | 41.7 | 39.5 |
Understanding UK road goods moved between GB and NI by NI vehicles
Freight transport output generated between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by commercial vehicles registered in Northern Ireland is quantified in this cross-channel series. This measure captures the specific maritime-linked land transit leg performed by the regional fleet when moving goods across the sea boundary separating the two jurisdictions. It multiplies the mass of the cargo by the combined road distance traversed on either side of the water crossing. This contrasts with purely domestic or intra-regional series by focusing exclusively on the bridge between mainland and regional markets.
Interpreting quarterly movements requires awareness of port congestion, ferry schedule adjustments, and seasonal supply chain shifts that can distort standard reporting periods. Provisional figures rely on survey samples and undergo regular revisions as shipping manifests and administrative verifications are completed. Analysts must avoid comparing this cross-channel subset directly with domestic mainland haulage figures, as cross-water logistics involve unique operational constraints, regulatory checkpoints, and lead times.
Frequently asked questions
- What type of journeys does this series isolate?
- Journeys moving freight between Great Britain and Northern Ireland performed by Northern Ireland-registered vehicles.
- How is the distance calculated for cross-channel transport?
- The calculation multiplies cargo weight by the road distances travelled on land before and after the maritime crossing.
- Why might quarterly figures in this series experience sudden shifts?
- Changes in ferry timetables, port logistics efficiency, and seasonal shipping demand can create sharper quarterly movements than domestic road haulage.