National Policy Statement for Ports

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 27 Jun 2025 Closed: 21 Jul 2026 Parliament page
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.
10 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 6 events
21 Jul
2026
Report published
14 Nov
2025
Report published
16 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
10 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
25 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
11 Jun
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
16 Sep 2025
View on parliament.uk
Keir Mather MP · Department for Transport Mike Alcock · Department for Transport Philip Grindrod · Department for Transport
10 Sep 2025
View on parliament.uk
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - National Policy Statement for Ports HC 1028 14 Nov 2025 14 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report - National Policy State…
Revised National Policy Statement for Ports welcomed for supporting future sector development
We welcome the revision of the National Policy Statement for Ports and the Government’s intention to review NPSs more regularly in future to ensure they remain fit for purpose. We note stakeholders’ broad approval for the direction of travel set … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that port freight demand forecasts are best used as a guide and commits to strengthening references related to navigation in the final NPSP draft. It also states it will actively consider including passenger ferry, cruise traffic, and innovative traffic forms in the next round of port demand forecasts.
Department for Transport
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2 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Consider port freight demand forecasts indicative and incorporate non-freight activity in modelling
The sector’s view is that port freight demand forecasts should be regarded as indicative rather than definitive. We agree. This approach will allow for greater flexibility and responsiveness to evolving market conditions, technological developments and policy priorities. To support a … Read more
Government Response
The government's response rejects according ports Critical National Priority status and discusses the weighting of CNP projects, but it does not address the recommendation regarding port freight demand forecasts or the consideration of non-freight activity in modelling.
Department for Transport
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3 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - National Policy State…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Transport
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4 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Ports indispensable for UK supply chain, energy security, and economic growth realisation
Ports are indispensable to the UK’s supply chain both for import and export of goods, and for development of energy infrastructure. Without their efficient operation, resilience and continued development, energy security and economic growth cannot be realised. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38) Read more
Government Response
The government states it accepts this recommendation, but then discusses design principles for port facilities and amendments to the National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) regarding functionality, safety, and aesthetics, rather than addressing the conclusion about ports' indispensability to the UK supply chain and energy security.
Department for Transport
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5 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Grant ports Critical National Priority status for essential supply chain and energy function
By the Government’s own admission, the ports sector is a “foundational industry.” The Government should grant ports Critical National Priority status to reinforce the primacy of port infrastructure and its essential function in the supply chain, and in enabling energy … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the importance of coordination with inland transport modes and the use of Transport Analysis Guidance to optimise modal shift, but it does not address the recommendation to grant ports Critical National Priority status.
Department for Transport
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Amend draft National Policy Statement for Ports to clarify applicability to DCO projects
To remove scope for ambiguity, the Department should amend the wording of the draft revised National Policy Statement for Ports to explicitly confirm its applicability to projects directed into the Development Consent Order process under section 35 of the Planning … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the provision of shore power and charging infrastructure in the NPSP, strengthening guidance and acknowledging grid capacity challenges, but it does not address the recommendation regarding the applicability of section 35 of the Planning Act 2008.
Department for Transport
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7 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Clarify National Policy Statement for Ports prioritises design for functionality, safety, and environmental impact
Ports are functional environments, where safety must remain the paramount consideration. We understand the desirability of aesthetic quality, especially for landscapes and surrounding communities, but we share the concern of stakeholders that there are limits to what can be reasonably … Read more
Government Response
The government's response extensively discusses the Finch judgment, Scope 3 emissions, marine licences, and harbour orders, but fails to address the recommendation regarding design principles for port developments.
Department for Transport
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8 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report - National Policy State…
Government failed to communicate modal shift intentions clearly to maritime sector stakeholders
If stakeholders within the maritime sector do not believe that the draft revised Ports National Policy Statement is sufficiently clear in promoting modal shift, then the Government has failed to communicate its stated intention. (Conclusion, Paragraph 57) Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses marine licenses, dredging, and the relationship with other policy frameworks, completely failing to address the committee's conclusion about stakeholder perception of the NPS's clarity on modal shift.
Department for Transport
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9 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - National Policy State…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Transport
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10 Conclusion
4th Report - National Policy State…
National Policy Statement for Ports critically enables maritime decarbonisation through planning decisions
Decarbonising the maritime sector is a complex and long-term challenge that requires coordinated action across government, industry and planning frameworks. While the National Policy Statement for Ports is not the vehicle for setting decarbonisation policy, it plays a critical enabling … Read more
Department for Transport
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11 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - National Policy State…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department for Transport
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - National Policy State…
Add guidance to revised NPS for port developments to meet climate targets and adapt
The Development Consent Order process is designed to streamline planning and accelerate the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects, including by mitigating the risk of legal challenge. The revised NPS should therefore include guidance to ensure that port developments are … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to include specific guidance on the Finch judgment and Scope 3 emissions in the final revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). It clarifies that a full Scope 3 analysis will not be automatically presumed for port developments, which differ from fossil fuel production cases, and will consider a related review.
Department for Transport
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - National Policy State…
Assess Finch judgment implications for Ports NPS, adding guidance on emissions assessment
The Government must undertake a thorough assessment of the implications of the Finch judgment for the National Policy Statement for Ports and, where necessary, amends the draft revised NPS to ensure it is legally robust and fit for purpose in … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to include specific guidance on the Finch judgment's implications in the final revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). However, it clarifies that a full Scope 3 analysis will not be automatically presumed for port developments, which differ from fossil fuel production cases.
Department for Transport
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14 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - National Policy State…
Include provisions on deemed marine licences in NPS for Ports to reduce burdens
The Development Consent Order process is meant to streamline the planning approval process for nationally significant infrastructure. To achieve this and to reduce duplication of regulatory burdens, the National Policy Statement for Ports should contain similar provisions on deemed marine … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the suggestion for deemed marine licences but defers it to DEFRA for further consideration. Regarding dredging, it rejects making provisions less onerous, stating it intends to keep a separate section on dredging in the NPSP due to its unique regulatory features.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 13 of 10 classified
Accepted 3
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 1
Not Addressed 6
Rejected 1
Total 10 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
11 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to the National Policy Statement for Ports, dated 4 June 2025
Parliament page