UK ports: lowest passenger numbers in 60 years
British Ports Association (BPA) calls on UK government to instil confidence in ferry industry as country claws its way out of lockdown.
Analysis of the UK Department of Transport’s 2020 passenger data by the BPA has shown that the UK experienced the lowest number of short-sea passenger numbers since 1962. The figures represent the greatest year-on-year fall since records began in 1952.
In 2020, the number of sea passengers on short-sea international routes decreased by 63% to 6.9 million, compared to 18.4 million in 2019 and domestic short-sea passenger numbers decreased by 57% to 1.2 million in 2020, compared to 2.8 million in 2019.
Commenting, Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, the BPA’s Policy Manager and Economic Analyst, said: “Following the outline of the UK Government’s roadmap out of lockdown earlier this week, the ports industry is urging the Government to bolster confidence in the travel industry as restrictions are eased and notes ferry travel as a safer and more ‘COVID-19-secure’ means of travelling. Alongside the success of the vaccine role out, the BPA also asks the Government to encourage the return to cruises when it is safe to do so.”
Journey’s to France saw the greatest drop in numbers, with an annual decrease of 63%. Other routes to the Republic of Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands showed similar falls. Passenger data on long-sea routes and cruises has been delayed until November this year, due to a lack of data.
