The UK ports industry is the largest in Europe and its operations provide critical economic infrastructure for the nation's manufacturers and businesses. ABP is the UK's leading port operator, with a unique network of 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales. Our ports include Immingham, the UKs busiest port, and Southampton, the nation's second largest and most efficient container port, as well as the UK's number one for cars and cruise. The group's other activities include rail terminal operations (Hams Hall Rail Terminal), ship's agency, dredging (UK Dredging Ltd), and marine consultancy (ABPmer). Each port also offers a well-established community of port service providers.

Created in 1992, the British Ports Association represents the interests of its 91 full members, and numerous associate members, to the United Kingdom and devolved Governments, the European Union and national and international bodies. The UK ports industry plays a fundamentally important role in the country’s economy. 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through UK ports which also handle 25million international passenger journeys each year. London, England

Falmouth Harbour is a Trust Port with statutory duties and powers. Our purpose is to maintain an organisation of quality and excellence to safely manage Falmouth Harbour in order to facilitate sustainable prosperity for the Port to the benefit of the users of the Harbour and the wider community. Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are a statutory port authority with responsibility for the Inner Harbour at Falmouth (excluding Falmouth Docks), the Penryn River up as far as Coastlines Wharf, the southern part of the Carrick Roads and a large part of Falmouth Bay. Falmouth can provide a wide range of services to commercial shipping including dry docks, bunkers, cargo handling, lay up berths, commercial moorings and underwater services. Falmouth, Cornwall, England, UK

Foyle Port is the key marine gateway to the North West of Ireland for both commerce and tourism. The Port handles approximately two million tonnes of cargo per annum and offers a diverse range of services including towage, dredging, engineering and steel fabrication. Supporting in the region of 1000 jobs, the Port makes a vital contribution to the North West regional economy. Foyle Port has long supported the development of the local tourism industry and in the 1990s was at the forefront of cruise tourism in Northern Ireland. Foyle Port Marina is 17 miles from the mouth of Lough Foyle and consists of two pontoons, one a 200mtr long wooden structure the second a 140mtr concrete structure offering in excess of 600mtrs of secure deep water berthing. Lisahally, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK

Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) was established by Act of Parliament in 1863 to safeguard the best natural haven on the east coast of England. Its jurisdiction covers the River Stour, the lower part of the River Orwell, Harwich Harbour and an area to seaward extending 12 nautical miles from the harbour entrance and covering 150 square miles. The Haven never stops moving, neither do we. From piloting the world's largest container ships to assisting yacht owners, we operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with efficiency and care. With the tide of global trade constantly changing, we'll continue to adapt our services to deliver good value and high-quality services to all stakeholders. Harwich, Essex, England UK

Lerwick Harbour, with modern, versatile facilities for a wide variety of users, is the principal commercial port for Shetland and a key component in the islands' economy. At the crossroads of the North Sea and North-east Atlantic, Lerwick Harbour is Britain's "Top Port" – the most northerly commercial harbour in the country. With two entrances, the sheltered, deep-water port is open to shipping in all weathers and operates around the clock, handling over 5,000 vessels annually. Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland, UK

Ship Classification Society. When you work with us you benefit from some of the world's finest marine experience, dedicated to delivering the very best service throughout the life of your vessel. Classification and certification form our core business, and make us an essential link in the safety chain of the marine industry. But they are not the only services we offer...we also provide consultancy services and training which help you identify business risks and go beyond basic compliance. London, England

One of the UK's Most Diverse Commercial Ports. Orkney's geographical location at 59 degrees north and on the main shipping routes from the Baltic region, the North sea, Trans-Atlantic commercial shipping routes and the north Atlantic periphery neighbours is a unique attraction for both oil and gas and marine tourism activity. The wide range of commercial and leisure ports within the 29 piers and harbours of the ports estate and Europe's largest natural harbour Scapa Flow at 125 square miles, provides a diverse range of berthing and anchorage options. Scapa Flow is one of the world’s largest natural harbours offering sheltered, swell and tidal free deep water anchorages, encompassing an area of just under 125 square miles. It is northern Europe's preferred location for Ship to Ship transfer operations of crude oil, gas and other products, long term storage and lay up of tankers and accommodation rigs. Scapa, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK

Here at Peel Ports we're not just a safe haven for the loading and unloading of vessels. We're a cutting edge network of state-of-the-art facilities that will maximise the efficiency of your supply chain while reducing costs. We're building on our rich history to create a prosperous future. As one of the leading infrastructure, transport and real estate companies in the UK, the Peel Group has become a part of the country's DNA. At Peel Ports Group, our services don't begin or end at the dockside when we offload or load your cargo. Helping you to get to us with the maximum ease and efficiency is just as important. That's why we're not simply committed to providing reliable, safe navigation for all users, we actually have a statutory duty to maintain and conserve the harbours. Peel Ports Group's Marine Departments are the first link in the chain of access to some of the most efficient and competitive range of port facilities available throughout the UK. They coordinate and manage the provision of key marine services to shipping operators. Offices in Liverpool, Clydeport & Greenock, London Medway, Heysham, Dublin, and Great Yarmouth.

Peterhead is one of the UK's most versatile ports, providing exceptional all-weather, congestion-free deepwater berthing facilities at depths of up to 14 metres and serving a broad range of industries including oil and gas, renewables, fishing and leisure. We also have a thriving leisure craft marina, we welcome cruise ships, and our quays accommodate a full range of other cargoes and commodities including frozen fish, agricultural products such as grain, timber and fertiliser, as well as complex fabrication projects and bulk handling. Peterhead Bay Marina is a purpose built leisure facility catering for local and visiting boatowners. The marina gives Peterhead one of the finest equipped leisure harbours in the East of Scotland, offering a comprehensive range of services and facilities for the leisure sailor. Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK

The 400 year-old history of Belfast Harbour is inextricably linked with the development and progress of the City of Belfast. The Port's history recognises the importance of the foresight and bold vision of previous generations of Trustees, Operators and Commissioners in creating today's modern Port. Established in 1847, Belfast Harbour is Belfast's port authority and operates the principal maritime gateway on the island of Ireland.

The Port of Dover is Europe's busiest ferry port, a vital international gateway for the movement of people and trade. It is also an award-winning cruise port, the second busiest in the UK and hosts some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines. Other successful businesses include a cargo terminal, a top award-winning marina and several niche activities. The business mix is diverse. Dover, Kent, England, UK

Our operations cover 95 miles of the River Thames. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel This section includes information on all aspects of our operations, from how they are financed to boats we operate and the services we provide.

Published annually in December since 1979 the Ports of Scotland Yearbook is a comprehensive reference book for port users throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Printed in full colour and now expanded to 320 pages it includes detailed information on over 90 Scottish port and harbour authorities, including plans, photographs, facilities and useful contacts. More than 150 advertisers also provide extensive information on support services available in or near the ports making it an invaluable reference book for shipowners, shipbrokers, charterers, importers and exporters as well as the oil, renewables, fishing and cruise ship industries. Callander, Stirling, Scotland, UK

As the closest mainland port to the oil and gas activity West of Shetland and on the Atlantic Frontier, Scrabster Harbour is strategically located to serve the energy sector. At Scrabster we have a highly skilled local supply chain and pride ourselves on a quality service with fast turnaround. Our full-service fishing port includes a modern chilled fish market with a 2,000 box capacity as well as fishing, sorting and distribution facilities. Scrabster Harbour is ideally located within close proximity to Northern fishing grounds. Scrabster Harbour is an established gateway to the North of Scotland, a recognised cruise port with a modern ferry terminal designed to handle both domestic and international traffic. Scrabster's modern port infrastructure, together with locally based cranage, efficient cargo handling and transportation provide great flexibility for a variety of cargo operations including weekly services from the Faroe Islands. Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, UK

Shoreham Port is one of the largest cargo handling Trust ports on the South Coast. With excellent stevedoring and storage facilities we help to supply South East England with imported materials. A thriving commercial Port on the South Coast of England, our mission is to provide a first class service to our customers and to continue to develop our excellent infrastructure and facilities to meet their requirements, in a commercially economic and efficient way. Our helpful and friendly staff offer a full Stevedoring Service with a state of the art Track-A-Pack stock control system, enabling our customers to handle their cargoes quickly and efficiently. We provide a full range of Marine Services including Hydrography and levelling, Dry Docking and Crew Changes as well as catering for Leisure and fishing users. In addition, the Port has an extensive Commercial Property Portfolio to let. Leisure: Shoreham Port provides several important facilities to the wider community and we support a variety of pursuits, including windsurfing, jet skiing, leisure boating, sailing and fishing. We also support a thriving marina which is situated just within the main shipping canal. The area is well served by local transport links and good pubs and restaurants only a short walk from the Marina. Southwick, Brighton, England, UK

Situated 30 miles off the north west coast of Scotland the Port of Stornoway is the main seaport of the Hebridean Island chain and provides a vital link to mainland Britain. This lively bustling town has everything you would expect of a modern commercial port as well as boasting the leading slipway facility on the West Coast and surrounding isles. As the main port for the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is a regular port-of-call for visiting cruise ships, with increasing numbers choosing to visit the Hebridean Islands in recent years. A favourite destination for those sailing to the Outer Hebrides and exploring the islands by boat, Stornoway is the largest harbour in the Outer Hebrides. The 80-berth marina provides a safe haven for island hoppers and day sailors, and with the marina located in a secure area right in the heart of the tow. With toilets, showers and laundry facilities available quayside, there is fresh water readily available on the pontoons along with shore power and Wi-Fi. Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK

The UK Chamber of Shipping is the trade association and voice of the UK shipping industry with more than 170 members from across the maritime sector.

The Reliable Guide to UK Commercial Ports. The UK PORTS DIRECTORY is created and maintained by Compass Handbooks Ltd who have over 30 years experience of working with a variety of clients in the seaport, airport, tourism, industrial and NGO sectors to deliver a range of quality, authoritative media.