Business in the Port of London saw strong growth last year – and latest figures suggest the trend is set to continue.

Bigger ships than ever, record numbers of people travelling on the tidal Thames and increasing volumes of cargo handled on all terminals – all of which suggests it’s a bright and busy time for economic activity on the river.

Cargo trade grew by 1.3 tonnes (3%) in 2014, while total port trade for the year was 44.5 million tonnes, according to the Port of London Authority's (PLA) annual accounts. Key cargo sectors that saw growth in the past year include:
Containers and trailers (unitised
traffic) up 7.4% to 16.2 million
tonnes
Aggregates and cement up
10.1% to 9.7 million tonnes
Other non-fuel cargoes up 7% to
6.7 million tonnes – with
increases in metals, cereal and
other goods
Oil trade is up by 2.3% on the
previous year to 11.9 million
tonnes.

Inland waterway trade has also risen. The volume of cargo moved

between Thames terminals rose to 5.5 million tonnes, a 4% hike on the previous year.

Increasing loads have been matched by record numbers of people travelling on the Thames. More than 9.8 million passenger journeys were made last year, compared to 8.5 million in 2013. The London Mayor’s River Action Plan expects that figure to reach 12 million by 2020.

Figures show that passenger and cargo numbers have increased, just as the Thames has been welcoming visitors of greater and greater volume. Early last year, London Gateway Port saw the arrival of the

397-metre Edith Maersk. And just two months ago, the even bigger Munkebo Maersk, at 399 metres, became the longest-ever ship to sail London’s river. These massive ships were guided to and from their berths with the transit planned and overseen by Port of London control.

PLA chief executive Robin Mortimer said: “2014 truly was a very encouraging year for business on the busiest and most diverse river in the UK. Economic activity continues to grow, as does tourist activity. The Mayor’s figure of 12 million passenger journeys by 2020 could be an understatement.”