4th Report - National Policy Statement for Ports

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.