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Transport & Logistics
Sea Transport
The British shipping industry accounts for more than 90% of world trade, and the transportation of goods by sea is forecast to increase substantially by 2015 as a result of increased international trade and globalisation. The collective term for the British shipping industry is the Merchant Navy and includes passengers on cruise ships and ferries as well as the transportation of goods in a range of vessels, including cargo ships and tankers.
Ports handle around 97% of all the UK's international freight tonnage and The Humber ports complex (the ports of Hull, Immingham, Grimsby and Goole) is the busiest in the UK, handling around 50% of this sea freight traffic. The earliest known boatyard in the world was believed to be at Hessle. Today over 88 million tonnes of cargos such as coal, iron ore, oil and chemicals are directed through the Humber ports each year, with 40,000 international shipping movements per year. Immingham handles more dry-bulk cargo than any other. Ships used on the Hull-Rotterdam daily service are the world's largest passenger and freight combined ferries.
Recent developments in the industry mean that value-adding activities are now being carried out at the ports, which has led to their development into logistics centres rather than just as shipment hubs. As a result, some light manufacturing now takes place near the port rather than just raw materials simply being off-loaded. Since the Humber ports lie within four hour's drive of 60% of the country's manufacturing capacity, and road-freight is near capacity, cargo is often transported by train. In recognition of the importance of the Humber ports as the global gateway for UK businesses, the Government is investing £60 million to improve rail connections to the Humber ports.
The Humber Ports contribute over £250 million a year to the regional economy and support over 47,000 jobs. The importance of the sector to the Humber area is reflected in the designation of the Humber Trade Zone which works to develop and stronger national and international awareness of the Humber ports and their role as a strong global player in the world wide ports and logistics industry.
Various organisations in Hull have developed in support of the shipping and logistics industry associated with sea transport. The Hull Maritime Alliance represents the cluster of more than 300 businesses involved in freight, port operations, haulage, shipping, warehousing, marine engineering, logistics and ship supply. Hull TEC provides specialist training in various related types of engineering for the maritime industry while Team Humber at Hull College is the lead partner in the Ports & Logistics Centre of Vocational Excellence providing lifelong learning for port and logistics employees. The Logistics Institute at the University of Hull supports the logistics industry by bringing together expertise from across the University and especially in the areas of business and engineering and providing training and continuing professional development for those involved in the sector. The Institute aims to become a world class academic centre of excellence which will help translate international best practice logistics to the region.
Useful links:
The Merchant Navy Training Board
Includes key facts about the shipping industry.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Humber region
CILT (UK) exists to be the pre-eminent independent professional body for individuals associated with logistics, supply chains and all transport throughout their careers. The Humber Group meets once a month in differing locations around the area.
Associated British Ports (ABP)
The UK's leading ports' business. Provides facilities and services at the major ports in the Humber region as well as providing Humber Estuary Services. Their website provides overviews of the Port of Hull, Grimsby, Immingham and Goole, along with useful links for each.
Their website also carries a useful overview of The Humber ports.
A dedicated facility based at the University of Hull helping the ports and related logistics sectors in the region improve their skills sets and compete more effectively. They offer specialist programmes such as MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management to a range of global logistics themes, undergraduate programmes and short courses. The website includes a useful links page.
Hull City Council's engineering training centre delivers apprenticeships in engineering with courses in fabrication and welding; mechanical; and marine engineering in order to support the maritime businesses.
Details of the services from Hull to Rotterdam & Zeebrugge.
Department of Transport, Maritime Statistics
Statistics on ports, passengers, shipping and freight from the Department of Transport.