UK Ports Research Articles

SEAPORTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

AbstractUK seaports' order of importance alters when measured by the value of cargo handled as opposed to cargo volume. Ports recording a high value of trade throughput tend to be those with significant unitised traffic. Ports with a high value of trade throughput also tend to be more significant employers. Goods transport between UK ports and the hinterland is dominated by road. Rail's share of port traffic has continued to fall. Competition exists between UK ports, between UK and European ports, and between UK ports and other modes, notably rail via the Channel Tunnel. Competition between ports exists irrespective of whether ports are privately or publicly owned. Major structural changes in various shipping sectors could adversely impact UK ports, although opportunities still exist. The balance of the UK ports industry has been fundamentally altered in favour of the private sector, yet the UK approach (to privatisation) remains very different to that in evidence elsewhere. The past two‐three decades has been a period of intense change for the UK ports industry, with further change inevitable.

UK ports in Europe: A problem of integration

The changes that have taken place in the British ports industry over the past 30 years, in terms of technology, labour relations and productivity, have been enormous; but perhaps the most significant change in the last 10 years has been the profound upheavel in port ownership, management and funding. This article examines how the privatization of British ports is affecting their position in Europe and concludes that British ports risk being sidelined in the Community unless the government adopts a more positive attitude to European transport policy.

Container control and cargo clearance using computer packages

The rate of growth in the number of containers shipped through the world's ports has, in recent years, necessitated the introduction of handling systems which are increasingly sophisticated. Computerisation has brought about a revolution in the efficiency of box handling by speeding communications, smoothing documentation and improving container selection and location. In this paper existing computer packages in UK ports based on simple database management are reviewed. These packages are non-transferrable to any other port. A generalized approach using Relational DBMS available commercially has been considered for possible applications.

An analysis of the efficiency of the UK food system

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the UK's food supplies in order to indicate the size of the problem of food losses and therefore to illustrate the potential savings. The energy and protein value of the food leaving UK farms and ports for consumption in the UK is estimated to be: Energy: 385 J × 10 5 per annum Protein: 3·2 million tonnes per annum By comparison the energy and protein needs of the entire UK population are: Energy: 200 J × 10 15 per annum Protein: 1·2 million tonnes per annum The UK food system is losing a considerable proportion of the food material which is available for consumption in the UK. Much of this loss occurs during the primary processing prior to the food ‘moving into consumption’. The loss at this stage amounts to: Energy: 116 J × 10 15 per annum Protein: 1·5 million tonnes per annum The authors discuss the implications of this loss of efficiency and give generalised reasons for its occurrence.

The changing structure of the UK port industry and its impact on stevedoring costs

This paper examines the impact the changing maritime technology has had on the structure and development of the UK port transport industry. In particular, it describes the major institutional changes that have occured in response to technological and other developments and the influence these have had on the cost structure of individual stevedoring operators. Finally, it describes the resultant pricing policies adopted by stevedores and concludes that these have been exacerbated by the failure of successive governments to adopt sound and consistent policies towards the industry.

UK ports — the battle for traffic

UK ports — the battle for traffic

Maritime industrial relations: concepts and consequences

British merchant seamen cannot legally strike while their ship is at sea or in a foreign port: neither could they, until 1970, legally strike while working on ships in UK ports. Difficulties of union organization, conservative union leadership in the period spanning the turn of the century and the 1914–18 war, the authority of lawful command, and an over-supply of seamen are some of the factors that have made industrial relations in the British Merchant Navy unlike those of any other industry.

Container ship turnaround times at UK ports

This paper looks at the relationships between ship size, handling rate and ship berth time for five major ports in the United Kingdom. The results show that there is no simple linear relationship between these variables. The causes and implications of this are discussed.