Select Committee · Transport Committee

National Policy Statement for Ports

Status: Closed Opened: 27 Jun 2025 Closed: 21 Jul 2026 10 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

The Transport Committee is carrying out an inquiry into the Government’s proposal for a revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). Read the call for evidence.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - National Policy Statement for Ports HC 1028 14 Nov 2025 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
3 Recommendation 4th Report - National Policy Statement … Accepted

Use port freight demand forecasts as guides and incorporate all non-freight activity

Port freight demand forecasts are best used as a guide to inform planning and investment decisions, rather than as rigid constraints. The Government must also ensure that future port demand forecasts incorporate non-freight activity. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17) Interaction with wider planning policy Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it will clarify in the final revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) that port freight demand forecasts should be used as guides rather than rigid constraints. The response also notes upcoming reviews of DCO thresholds.
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Department for Transport
9 Recommendation 4th Report - National Policy Statement … Accepted

Revise National Policy Statement for Ports to clarify port freight interface and promote modal shift

The Government should revise the draft National Policy Statement for Ports to articulate more clearly how ports interface with other freight modes, ensuring that planning authorities actively consider modal shift in their decision-making. This should reflect the strategic role of ports in enabling integrated, low-emission freight networks and support the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it is amending the National Policy Statement for Ports (NPS) text to further highlight the importance of coordination with inland transport modes, and that Transport Analysis Guidance will continue to facilitate modelling for modal shift.
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Department for Transport
11 Recommendation 4th Report - National Policy Statement … Accepted

Strengthen National Policy Statement for Ports to support shore power and electric vessel charging

The Government should strengthen the National Policy Statement for Ports to better support the provision of shore power and electric vessel charging infrastructure as decarbonisation options, recognising the critical interface between ports and the energy grid. It would also assist in reducing pollution from ships which affects nearby communities. The … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government strongly supports shore power and charging infrastructure, committing to strengthen NPSP guidance on advance provision and clearly state the importance of designing new facilities with shore power and charging in mind. It also acknowledges grid capacity challenges and ongoing work.
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Sep 2025 Keir Mather MP · Department for Transport, Mike Alcock · Department for Transport, Philip Grindrod · Department for Transport View ↗
10 Sep 2025 Cathy Hall · UK Major Ports Group, Mark Simmonds · The British Ports Association, Ms Stephanie Kenyon · UK Chamber of Shipping, Robbie Owen · The National Infrastructure Planning Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

7 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Cathy Hall · Senior Masterplanner UK Major Ports Group 1
Keir Mather MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport 1
Mark Simmonds · Director of Policy The British Ports Association 1
Mike Alcock · Head of Ports and Shipping Department for Transport 1
Ms Stephanie Kenyon · Director of External Affairs UK Chamber of Shipping 1
Philip Grindrod · Ports and Shipping Division Department for Transport 1
Robbie Owen · Board Secretary and Director The National Infrastructure Planning Association 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
11 Jun 2025 To cttee Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transpor…

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
25 Jun 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House