The UK House of Commons Transport Select Committee has called for significant changes to the Government’s draft National Policy Statement for Ports (Ports NPS). The Transport Committee, an all-party oversight body, has argued that a more robust, future-proofed framework is essential to protect the UK’s long-term position in global trade.
In a report published on 14 November, the committee said the revised NPS must give ports clearer planning certainty, keep pace with decarbonisation demands, and reflect the expanding role of ports in supporting offshore energy and non-freight activities. Without stronger policy direction, the UK risks falling behind international competitors that are already scaling infrastructure to manage future trade patterns and energy requirements.
Critical national priority
A central recommendation is that UK ports be designated as “Critical National Priority” infrastructure. The committee said this would align ports policy with national economic and energy security strategies, strengthening the case for faster planning decisions and streamlined approvals for major developments. It noted that other trading nations have already adopted similar classifications to accelerate port investment.
A presumption in favour of development would help UK ports respond more effectively to shifting global freight flows, consolidation among carriers, and larger vessel sizes. The Committee has also called for broader demand modelling that includes cruise, offshore energy, and other emerging port uses, arguing that current freight-only forecasts underestimate future capacity requirements.
Decarbonisation and infrastructure gaps
“The ports sector was broadly supportive of the Government’s draft revision of the NPS, the first since 2012,” said Ruth Cadbury MP, the chair of the Transport Select Committee. “There was particular appreciation for its continued presumption in favour of development, and its market-led approach to investment in this sector, which plays a vital role in trade, energy and economic growth.”
Ruth Cadbury went on to say that the UK Government should continue to drive towards a more streamlined, efficient planning process for port developments. “It was very welcome to hear industry voices call for greater emphasis on how the NPS could be used to bolster modal shift, and to enable greater investment in grid capacity and infrastructure for shore power, and, in effect, talking up the role ports could play in helping to decarbonise the UK’s wider system of freight distribution.”
Importance for international cargo interests
For global logistics operators and shipping lines, the committee’s recommendations signal that the UK intends to maintain competitiveness as a port and distribution gateway. The report notes that around 95% of UK import and export volumes move through ports, and that policy uncertainty around development can affect long-term planning for carriers, forwarders, and investors. It also says that the sector supports more than 728,000 jobs across the wider UK economy.
There is some imbalance in how national infrastructure is treated. Inland logistics hubs, such as those designated as Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges, can already benefit from Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) status, giving them a defined and streamlined planning route. This clarity enables developers and logistics operators to expand inland capacity with greater confidence. By contrast, ports—despite their foundational role in UK trade—do not enjoy equivalent status, leaving major waterfront developments subject to slower, more complex planning approvals. This is a matter that remains on the wider Government agenda.
By urging regular reviews of the NPS, the committee said the UK would be better positioned to adapt to changes in vessel technology, trade routes, and energy infrastructure. A more agile policy framework would help ensure that port capacity does not constrain the UK’s participation in global supply chains. The Government is expected to consider the committee’s findings. A date for finalising the National Policy Statement for Ports has not been set, but is hoped for in 2026.