GB Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
United Kingdom UN/LOCODEs use the country prefix GB followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples include GBSOU for Southampton, GBFXT for Felixstowe and GBBEL for Belfast.
Seaports in United Kingdom: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
United Kingdom has 730 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and remains a major North Atlantic gateway for European, transatlantic and global maritime trade.
Explore United Kingdom port codes, principal cargo gateways, regional logistics clusters and indicative shipping routes.
United Kingdom Port Overview
United Kingdom has a highly diversified port system serving container shipping, ro-ro, liquid bulk, dry bulk, energy and project cargo. Ecer Freight indexed coverage includes seaports, terminals and related port locations; this count is separate from international container-port rankings.
730
United Kingdom ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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2025 national port freight total in tonnes; consolidated YoY figure not stated
DfT Port Freight Statistics · 2025
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2025 national container throughput in TEU; consolidated YoY figure not stated
DfT Port Freight Statistics · 2025
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2025 national commercial berth count; comparable YoY figure not stated
DfT maritime statistics · 2025
How many seaports does United Kingdom have?
United Kingdom has 730 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage count rather than a government definition of all legally designated ports.
Which ports are among the busiest in United Kingdom?
Felixstowe (GBFXT), Southampton (GBSOU), London Gateway Port (GBLGP), London (GBLON), Liverpool (GBLIV) and Belfast (GBBEL) are among the principal container and general-cargo gateways represented in the Ecer Freight sample.
Which freight regions are most important?
The main freight clusters include the South and Thames estuaries, the Humber and Tees corridor, the Mersey and North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with Southampton (GBSOU), Tilbury (GBTIL), Hull (GBHUL), Liverpool (GBLIV), Grangemouth (GBGRG) and Belfast (GBBEL) serving distinct hinterlands.
Top United Kingdom Ports by Container and Freight Activity
The table highlights leading United Kingdom port locations in the Ecer Freight sample. International world rank and comparable 2025 TEU figures are shown only where a harmonised public figure is available; port-level reporting methods may differ.
Selected major port locations and indicative 2025 container league-table data
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Southampton | GBSOU | — | — | South Coast |
| — | Felixstowe | GBFXT | — | — | East Coast |
| — | London Gateway Port | GBLGP | — | — | Thames Estuary |
| — | London | GBLON | — | — | Thames |
| — | Liverpool | GBLIV | — | — | Mersey |
| — | Belfast | GBBEL | — | — | Northern Ireland |
| — | Hull | GBHUL | — | — | Humber |
| — | Tees Port | GBTEE | — | — | Tees Valley |
United Kingdom Port Regions
South Coast and Thames Estuary
This cluster provides deep-sea container access, vehicle handling, distribution capacity and proximity to major consumption centres in southern England.
Representative ports and locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | GBSOU | Southampton | Deep-sea containers, ro-ro and vehicles |
| Portsmouth | GBPME | Portsmouth | Short-sea ro-ro and ferry cargo |
| London | GBLON | London | Container, general and project cargo |
| Tilbury | GBTIL | London | Containers, bulk and distribution cargo |
| London Gateway Port | GBLGP | Stanford Le Hope | Deep-sea containers and logistics |
| Thamesport | GBTHP | Allhallows | Containers and general cargo |
East Coast, Humber and Tees
East coast gateways connect the United Kingdom with Northern Europe, the Baltic, Mediterranean services and industrial supply chains across the Midlands and North.
Representative ports and locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe | GBFXT | Felixstowe | Deep-sea containers and intermodal cargo |
| Ipswich | GBIPS | Ipswich | Bulk, agricultural and general cargo |
| Hull | GBHUL | Kingston Upon Hull | Ro-ro, containers, bulk and project cargo |
| Immingham | GBIMM | Immingham | Dry bulk, energy and industrial cargo |
| Boston | GBBOS | Boston | Agricultural and general cargo |
| Tees Port | GBTEE | Middlesbrough | Bulk, energy, chemicals and project cargo |
Mersey, North West and Wales
The western cluster supports Irish Sea services, transatlantic connections, regional distribution and industrial cargo serving North West England and Wales.
Representative ports and locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | GBLIV | Liverpool | Containers, ro-ro and general cargo |
| Bromborough Dock | GBBRD | Liverpool | Short-sea, bulk and industrial cargo |
| Manchester | GBMNC | Manchester | Regional distribution and inland logistics |
| Cardiff | GBCDF | Cardiff | Bulk, project and general cargo |
| Milford Haven | GBMLF | Milford Haven | Energy, liquid bulk and tankers |
| Bristol | GBBTL | Bristol | General cargo, containers and ro-ro |
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Northern gateways serve Scottish industry, energy and fisheries, while Belfast provides a key connection between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Representative ports and locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | GBBEL | Belfast | Containers, ro-ro and ferry cargo |
| Grangemouth | GBGRG | Grangemouth | Containers, petrochemicals and general cargo |
| Edinburgh | GBEDI | Edinburgh | Regional cargo and port logistics |
| Glasgow | GBGLW | Glasgow | Regional distribution and general cargo |
| Greenock | GBGNK | Greenock | Containers, cruise and general cargo |
| Aberdeen | GBABN | Aberdeen City | Energy, offshore and project cargo |
United Kingdom Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
City-Level and Terminal-Level Codes
A city-level code can represent a wider port area, while a terminal-level or facility code may identify a more specific operating location. The correct code should match the bill of lading, booking and customs documentation.
How to Verify a Port Code
Compare the location name, country prefix and operational facility against the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory before making a booking.
Shipping from United Kingdom: Main Trade Lanes
United Kingdom to North Europe
Frequent short-sea services connect United Kingdom gateways with continental distribution hubs and industrial markets.
United Kingdom to Mediterranean
Container and feeder networks link United Kingdom export cargo with Mediterranean hubs and onward markets.
United Kingdom to North America
Deep-sea services support transatlantic movements of containers, vehicles, machinery and consumer goods.
United Kingdom to Asia
Asia services generally use major United Kingdom deep-sea gateways and may include transshipment depending on the carrier network.
Data Methodology and Sources
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 730 United Kingdom ports and terminals in the Nov 2026 database snapshot.
- UK Government — official maritime, port freight and transport-statistics framework; annual figures are used where published and comparable.
- Office for National Statistics — national economic and trade context used for interpretation of port hinterlands and freight demand.
- UNECE — international UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime geographic reference used as a supporting validation source.
United Kingdom Port FAQ
How many seaports does United Kingdom have?
United Kingdom has 730 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot.
What is the largest container port in United Kingdom?
Felixstowe (GBFXT) and Southampton (GBSOU) are widely recognised as leading United Kingdom container gateways, while London Gateway Port (GBLGP) is also a major deep-sea container location. Rankings vary by year and measurement basis.
What is the UN/LOCODE for Southampton?
The Ecer Freight sample lists Southampton as GBSOU. Port and terminal codes should be checked against the booking instruction and current carrier documentation.
Which United Kingdom regions handle the most freight?
The South Coast and Thames Estuary, East Coast and Humber, Mersey and North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the principal regional groupings covered by this guide.
Are port-code records the same as container-port rankings?
No. The 730 figure is Ecer Freight indexed coverage of ports and terminals. Container-port rankings measure throughput, normally in TEU, and use a different statistical scope.
How current is the United Kingdom port data?
The database snapshot for this page is Nov 2026. Official throughput and trade statistics normally lag the calendar year, so 2025 is treated as the latest complete statistical year where a comparable release is available.
How can shippers request United Kingdom sea freight rates?
Shippers can compare FCL sea freight rates or LCL sea freight rates. Final pricing depends on origin, destination, equipment, cargo details, schedule and applicable surcharges.
Editorial note: Port codes and indexed coverage are maintained in the Ecer Freight database and reviewed against recognised maritime and statistical sources. Port activity, schedules, capacities and official throughput figures are updated periodically; carrier availability, transit times and operational conditions remain subject to confirmation.
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