For immediate release

New Dates for Introduction to UK Ports: Course

The British Ports Association (BPA) is excited to announce new dates for our Introduction to UK Ports, a one day course explaining the UK ports industry to those in government, suppliers, or anyone wishing to learn more about UK ports. The course will provide an opportunity for participants to gain insights into the fundamentals of the UK ports industry and learn of the operations, ownership models, and infrastructure that help keep ports moving efficiently, and recent industry developments and future trends. 

The BPA is running Introduction to UK Ports alongside Port Centric Logistics Partners (PCLP), a specialist consultancy with expert knowledge in port operations, planning, international trade, and global logistics businesses. Whilst PCLP have an expertise of the UK ports industry, the course will be tailored to those with a low level of base knowledge and those new to the sector. The course content includes:

• A basic introduction to different types of ships, cargoes and maritime activities
• Port structures, ownership and governance in the UK and how it compares to ports around the world
• Different parts of the port and the different roles of people and technology within a port
• Port regulation, legislation, and governance
• Port logistics & connectivity, including hinterland connectivity and logistics
• Transhipment and global trade patterns and introduction to border processes
• Industry developments and trends, including digitalisation and automation, decarbonisation and sustainability, trade and security

The UK ports industry is vitally important to the UK and its communities. Our course helps provide essential background knowledge for those working with, or adjacent to, to the UK ports sector. Whether it is industry newcomers or those in the public sector, this course aims to equip participants with the knowledge needed to engage more effectively with ports.

We have a limited number of places and the course will be held at the BPA office in central London.

• Thursday 23 April 2026
• Thursday 30 April 2026

Places are £495 (+VAT) per person. BPA members and associate members are entitled to a 10% discount. Please book your place here.

If you cannot make these dates we are exploring more dates for later this year, and we plan to run a course in Scotland.