UK SPPI: water transport
UK SPPI: water transport stood at 151.8 in Q2 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Services producer prices table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q4 2008 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Services producer prices table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services price index by industry | |||||||||||
| H50 Water transport | 151.8 | 148.2 | 142.7 | 138 | 141.2 | 153.4 | 149.6 | 137.5 | 139.7 | 140.3 | |
| H51 Air transport | 164.1 | 158.1 | 154.4 | 154 | 153 | 151.6 | 150 | 149.7 | 149.3 | 147.8 |
Understanding UK SPPI: water transport
Maritime and inland waterway freight rates charged between businesses across the United Kingdom are captured within this dedicated transport index. The series monitors the actual prices agreed for cargo shipping, vessel chartering, tugboat assistance, and waterborne freight transit. It excludes air and overland transport channels, focusing exclusively on nautical logistics and intermediate maritime transport services provided by domestic vessel operators.
Data are reported without seasonal adjustment, meaning quarterly movements can be influenced by seasonal shipping demands and weather conditions on domestic waterways. Initial releases are subject to revision as full voyage accounts and demurrage adjustments are settled by shipping operators. A year-on-year examination provides the most balanced perspective on waterborne shipping prices by mitigating the effects of seasonal cargo flows and contract volatility. This measure should not be confused with global import shipping indices, as it strictly tracks services provided by United Kingdom domestic operators.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this index track international container spot rates?
- It measures prices charged by United Kingdom water transport operators, which may include domestic legs and chartered services, rather than global container benchmarks.
- Are passenger ferry tickets included in this index?
- No, the series is restricted to business-to-business water freight, vessel leasing, and commercial maritime operations.
- Why is year-on-year analysis recommended for water transport?
- Annual comparisons smooth out quarterly volatility driven by seasonal commodity shipments, water levels, and periodic vessel charter renewals.