United Kingdom Smart Port Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology (IoT, Blockchain, Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence), By Elements (Terminal Automation, PCS, and Smart Port Infrastructure), and United Kingdom Smart Port Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035.

United Kingdom Smart Port Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The United Kingdom Smart Port Market Size was estimated at USD 220.43 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 36.07% from 2025 to 2035
• The United Kingdom Smart Port Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 6526.87 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the United Kingdom Smart Port Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 6526.87 Million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 36.07% from 2025 to 2035. Modern technologies, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, can assist ports in accomplishing their objectives while lowering the energy consumption of infrastructure users, bolstering market expansion.  

Market Overview

The United Kingdom smart port market refers to the marketplace focused on an automatically generated port that utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the performance of ports. The need for smart spots is growing rapidly due to increasing trading volume, it is now imperative to use state-of-the-art technology to enhance internal efficiency and operations. Smart ports can improve sustainable development even though they make use of the technologies previously mentioned. They can also maintain economic competitiveness, save costs, and streamline procedures. Moreover, growing environmental concerns are expected to drive the market expansion. Smart ports offer some benefits over traditional ports, including reduced human disturbances, cheaper operating costs, more intelligent decision-making, and more reliable performance. Also, the government strongly supports, which has accelerated the market growth expansion, for e.g., the UK government launched the £8 million Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund to drive maritime innovation and harness the benefits of AI. This initiative aimed to support feasibility studies for cutting-edge technologies, including self-driving boats, automated port systems, and AI-powered safety measures. The fund had been part of the broader £206 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, which had been introduced in March to help the maritime sector transition to net-zero emissions.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the United Kingdom smart port market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the United Kingdom smart port market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the United Kingdom smart port market.  

Driving Factors

The market for the United Kingdom smart port is primarily driven by the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are transforming port operations. These technologies greatly improve the efficacy and efficiency of port operations by enabling real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis. Moreover, the growing need for environmental sustainability is prompting port authorities to implement clever strategies that lower energy and emission levels, which fuels the market expansion. The rise in the number of operations has prompted the harbor authorities to take advantage of intelligent technology and solutions to automate several harbor operations.

Restraining Factors

The market development could be slowed down by some obstacles such as sudden climate change, high upfront costs, periodic maintenance requirements, intense complexity in technology, and other kinds of equipment.  

Market Segmentation

The United Kingdom smart port market share is classified into technology and elements.

• The IoT segment held a significant share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom smart port market is differentiated by technology into IoT, blockchain, process automation, and artificial intelligence. Among these, the IoT segment held a significant share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. The segment growth which contributed to the market expansion due to its capacity to link devices and enable data interchange. IoT enables commonplace objects to gather and share data without human involvement by connecting them to the internet.

• The smart port infrastructure segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR over the forecast period.

The United Kingdom smart port market is segmented by element into terminal automation, PCS, and smart port infrastructure. Among these, the smart port infrastructure segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR over the forecast period. This is because intelligent energy and environmental solutions, shore power, gate automation, and automated mooring systems are all examples of smart port infrastructure. This subsegment includes waste treatment and disposal units, professional services, managed services, smart lighting, smart meters, and more. Maritime transportation is essential to international trade, so this kind of resolution makes it prominent.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the United Kingdom smart port market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• SmartPort Europe Ltd
• Smart Port North East Testbed
• DP World UK
• PD Ports
• Associated British Ports (ABP)
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In October 2024, the UK-Singapore research partnership was set to accelerate the green and digital transition in the maritime industry. Imperial College London and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance innovations in zero-carbon shipping and achieve net-zero port emissions.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at United Kingdom, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the United Kingdom smart port market based on the below-mentioned segments:

United Kingdom Smart Port Market, By Technology

• IoT
• Blockchain
• Process Automation
• Artificial Intelligence

United Kingdom Smart Port Market, By Element

• Terminal Automation
• PCS
• Smart Port Infrastructure