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
3 results
Clear
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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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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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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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