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Water Transport Support Services in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2028)

IBISWorld IBISWorld London, United Kingdom Last Updated: April 2024 SIC UK-H5222

Revenue

£32.1bn

2024-25

£33.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

211k

Businesses

15,644

Wages

£X.Xbn

Water Transport Support Services in the UK industry analysis

The Water Transport Support Services industry plays a vital role in Europe's economy, powering freight and passenger water transport through the operation of terminal facilities, lighthouse activities and navigation services. The performance of these support services is intrinsically linked to economic activity, import-export volumes and tourism levels. Revenue is expected to drop at a compound annual rate of 4.5% to €32.1 billion over the five years through 2024, including a fall of 2.8% in the current year.

Trends and Insights

  • COVID-19 greatly impacted the water transport industry. The pandemic led to a decrease in global trade volumes, affecting navigation and harbour operations, while the stricter restrictions also caused a drop in tourism numbers, reducing passenger vessel demand significantly.
  • Growth in global trade is driving demand for eco-friendly shipping. As international commerce bounces back post-pandemic, companies are using water transport services to move goods efficiently and sustainably, boosting demand for water transport support services.
  • The Water Transport Support Services industry is fragmented. Successful operators gain a competitive edge through strategic locations, technological advancements, and providing comprehensive services, with efficiency and reliability also driving success.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom is £32.1bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2024?

There are 15,644 businesses in the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom include?

Operating terminal facilities like harbours and piers and Operating waterway locks are part of the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Water Transport Support Services industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Water transport support companies face stringent regulations. Various regulations and policies cover everything from harbour operations to salvage services, ensuring safety, efficiency and environmental responsibility across industry activities.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Water Transport Support Services in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Fuel prices greatly impact water transport purchases. The recent spike in oil prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly driven up costs, notably for water support service providers.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Water Transport Support Services in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

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