The United Kingdom Major Ports Group Ltd (UKMPG) was formed in 1993 and is the trade association representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom. It has nine members who, between them, own and operate over 40 ports, accounting for more than 70% of the total tonnage handled in UK ports. Current members are Associated British Ports, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, the Bristol Port Company, DP World London Gateway, Forth Ports, Hutchison Ports UK, PD Ports, Peel Ports and the Port of London Authority.
UKMPG represents the interests and concerns of its members to policy makers and opinion formers in the UK and Europe, on those areas of Government or EU policy which affect the industry. It also provides forums for its members to share with other ports ideas and best practice on issues including the environment, port infrastructure and navigation.
UKMPG works very closely with the other ports sector trade association, the British Ports Association (BPA) and with the ports sector skills and safety organisation, Port Skills and Safety (PSS). The three organisations share offices, close to the offices of the UK Chamber of Shipping, allowing for a high degree of joint working on a range of issues.
UKMPG is an active member of ESPO, the European Sea Ports Organisation, and of Maritime UK, which represents the joint interests of the UK maritime industries. It also belongs to Freight by Water, a group organised by the Freight Transport Association to campaign for wider use of domestic water freight, and the Seabed User and Developer Group, which represents the interests of business sectors participating in sustainable development of the seabed around the UK.
