The UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) is the principal trade association representing the largest commercial ports in the United Kingdom. Established in 1993, it includes nine members who collectively own and operate over 40 ports, handling more than 70% of the UK’s port tonnage. These members include major port operators such as Associated British Ports, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, The Bristol Port Company, DP World UK, Forth Ports, Hutchison Ports UK, PD Ports, Peel Ports, and the Port of London Authority. UKMPG’s role is to advocate for the interests of its members to policymakers and opinion formers both in the UK and at the European level, particularly focusing on government and EU policies affecting the port industry.
UKMPG’s lobbying efforts target a range of EU policy areas including transport and freight connectivity (notably the Trans-European Transport Network – TEN-T), funding mechanisms like the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the transition to zero emissions, and participation in the EU Social Dialogue. The group seeks to ensure a positive investment climate for port development and fair competition between UK and European ports. Beyond lobbying, UKMPG facilitates knowledge-sharing among members on environmental issues, infrastructure, and navigation, while promoting the ports as vital economic hubs that support strategic supply chains, regional employment, and investment. Members collectively invest around £500 million annually in port infrastructure, supporting approximately 115,000 direct jobs in the sector as of 2017. The group also emphasizes the ports’ role in the UK’s green energy transition and broader economic growt
