Portsmouth International Port

What Portsmouth International Port does

Portsmouth International Port is a municipal port owned and operated by Portsmouth City Council, in continuous operation since 1976. It runs three coordinated business lines: passenger ferries (Brittany Ferries under a 20-year agreement and DFDS for Jersey services), cruise (handling 94 scheduled ship calls in 2025, a record, with brands including Virgin Voyages, Saga, Viking, Fred Olsen, and Ambassador), and cargo (via Portico, supporting approximately 98% of Jersey's consumption). The port describes itself as Britain's biggest municipal port and contributes £10.8M annually back to council services, with a £400M economic contribution to the UK economy.

The port's core product is berth and terminal infrastructure, increasingly differentiated by low-emission energy systems. Its technology stack includes a 1.2MWp solar array (2,660 panels supplying around 35% of on-site electricity), a 1MW/1.3MWh battery storage system with an AI-based multi-level control system (PESO project) that learns from historic energy consumption, LNG bunkering capability, and the UK's first multi-berth shore power system (Sea Change, going live July 2026). The port is also a participant in the SHAPE UK hydrogen project and operates within the Solent Freeport ecosystem.

The business model is anchored on long-term terminal lease and call fees with ferry operators, per-call charges and passenger handling for cruise lines, and cargo throughput fees. Revenue is supplemented by an emerging low-emission services layer (shore power, LNG bunkering, hydrogen) that can be sold to operators as a premium sustainability product. The port reinvests proceeds into terminal expansion (a £11.25M Levelling Up-funded extension) and decarbonization (a £19.8M DfT-funded Sea Change project with £4.6M co-funding from Portsmouth City Council).

Name

Portsmouth International Port

Legal name

Portsmouth International Port (operated by Portsmouth City Council)

Website

https://portsmouth-port.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Portsmouth International Port is a UK municipal port owned by Portsmouth City Council, operating ferry services (Brittany Ferries, DFDS), cruise terminals (94 calls in 2025), and cargo handling approximately 98% of Jersey's consumption.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Maritime Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ferry Terminal, Port & Passenger Handling Services (THAEAGAJ), Port Agents & Ground Handling Services (THAEAFAE), Ferry Terminals & Water Transit Piers (THAIALAH)

Keywords

• Ferry services
• Cruise operations
• Cargo handling
• Port infrastructure
• Shore power systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Dues and Charges: Standard port charges for vessel berthing, passenger fees, and cargo handling. The port publishes dues, rates and charges for commercial users. Charges apply for vessels entering port area, goods processing, and passenger services.
2. Ferry Operations: Revenue from ferry operators including Brittany Ferries and DFDS for passenger and freight ferry services. Long-term contracts with operators provide stable revenue streams.
3. Cruise Operations: Revenue from cruise ship calls including turnaround operations, passenger processing, and related port services. Cruise schedule shows regular calls from multiple cruise lines.
4. Border Control Post Charges: Common User Charge (CUC) applied to commercial importers bringing animal products, plants and plant products from the EU, following the UK Border Target Operating Model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Portsmouth International Port operates as a municipal port providing three integrated service lines: ferry operations connecting the UK to France, Spain, and the Channel Islands (via Brittany Ferries and DFDS); cruise ship turnaround and call services for major cruise lines; and commercial cargo handling including roll-on/roll-off freight and conventional berths operated by Portico. The port also provides ancillary commercial services including customs agency, Border Control Post inspections, and Clean Air Zone management.

Product overview

Portsmouth International Port is a municipal port owned by Portsmouth City Council, operating as the UK's best connected port. The port provides a unified offering of ferry services (connecting to France, Spain, and Channel Islands via Brittany Ferries and DFDS), cruise services (handling turnaround and calling operations for major cruise lines), and cargo handling (including Ro-Ro freight and conventional berths operated by Portico). Supporting infrastructure includes the Sea Change shore power system (UK's first multi-berth shore power), a net carbon neutral terminal extension featuring sustainable design, and a 1.2MW solar installation with battery storage. The port also provides ancillary services including customs agency, Clean Air Zone access, and Border Control Post facilities for EU trade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ferry Services Major ferry hub connecting the UK to France (Caen, Le Havre, St Malo), Spain (Bilbao, Santander), and the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey) through ferry operators including Brittany Ferries and DFDS. Services for both passenger and freight customers.
• Cruise Services Turnaround and calling cruise port hosting cruise lines including Virgin Voyages, Saga, Viking Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, AIDA, Azamara, Ambassador, and others. Provides dedicated cruise terminal facilities, passenger handling, luggage processing, and shuttle services.
• Ro-Ro Freight Roll-on/roll-off freight services handling cargo vehicles, HGVs, and unaccompanied freight through the port's facilities to European destinations.
• Conventional Berths (via Portico) Two conventional cargo berths operated by Portico, handling general cargo, bulk goods, and project cargo for commercial freight customers.
• Sea Change Shore Power System UK's first multi-berth, multi-user, multi-frequency shore power system allowing ships to plug into green electricity while alongside and turn off engines. Allows up to three ships to plug in simultaneously, enabling ferries and cruise ships to reduce emissions while berthed.
• Net Carbon Neutral Terminal Extension Sustainable passenger terminal extension achieving carbon positive status. Features seawater harvesting for toilets and temperature regulation, wind and solar technology, living walls for air purification. Achieves BREEAM 'Very Good' rating under international environmental standard.
• Solar and Battery Energy System 1.2 megawatt peak solar installation with 2,660 panels providing 35% of site electricity, complemented by 1MW/1.3MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system. Reduces annual carbon emissions by 239 tonnes.
• Portico Customs Agency In-house customs agency based at the port with all necessary systems for customs declarations, helping businesses navigate Brexit impacts on imports and exports.
• Clean Air Zone Clean Air Zone implemented at the port to improve air quality, requiring compliant vehicles and incentivising cleaner transport for freight and commercial users.
• Border Control Post State-of-the-art Border Control Post managing Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspections for animal products, plants, and plant products from the EU under the Border Target Operating Model. Common User Charge applies to commercial importers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shore power system projected to avoid 20,000 tonnes CO2e annually from 2027
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, supporting and minor.

• Brittany FerriesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 December 2024Long-term ferry operator partnership with 20-year contract commitment. Brittany Ferries operates routes to France and Spain from Portsmouth. Two new LNG-electric hybrid ferries (St Malo and Guillaume de Normandy, part of €550M fleet renewal) are shore-power ready and began operations from Portsmouth in 2025.
• DFDScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDFDS operates ferry service to Jersey from Portsmouth. Route described as 'lifeline service to Channel Islands' with 98% of island consumption coming through Portsmouth.
• PorticocoreOthersPortico operates the two conventional cargo berths at the port. Provides in-house customs agency services for import/export documentation and cargo handling operations.
• Barter 4 Things (B4T)supportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Sea Change shore power project producing new smart sensors for the shore power system.
• SwanbartonsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Sea Change project supplying smart control software for energy storage integrated with the shore power system.
• MSE InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea Change project partner using experience to stimulate investment across private and public sectors and develop commercialisation strategies.
• University of PortsmouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Sea Change project bringing expertise in data science, smart power grids, innovation, and environmental impact analysis. Also supports SHAPE UK hydrogen project and digital twin development.
• IOTICSsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Sea Change creating digital twin ecosystem allowing all project partners to select and share data securely.
• ABBcoreTechnology or IntegrationABB won order to supply shore connection solution for visiting ferries and cruise ships as part of the Sea Change project.
• Custom SolarsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSolar technology company that installed 2,660 solar panels and battery storage system at the port, providing 35% of site electricity.
• HovertravelsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to offer cruise passengers unique hovercraft experience during port visits. Hovertravel provides flight experience excursions for cruise guests with pilot tours and Solent trips.
• Shaping PortsmouthsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRuns cruise passenger programme with volunteers meeting and greeting passengers on quayside. Volunteers provide personalised local knowledge and help guests plan their day, promoting local museums and destinations. Greeted over 33,000 guests in 2024.
• Connected Places CatapultsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology accelerator supporting Freight Innovation Fund and Freight Innovation Cluster. Partnered with port for SpatialCortex wearable sensor trial and funded Estudio Cactus HSSE software trial with £100,000.
• SpatialCortexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company supported by Connected Places Catapult that developed wearable sensors for manual handling injury prevention. Conducted trials at Portsmouth International Port, Port of Tyne, and DHL, increasing Technology Readiness Level from 5 to 9.
• Port of TyneminorOthersPartner port for SpatialCortex wearable sensor trial alongside Portsmouth International Port and DHL.
• DHLminorOthersLogistics firm that participated in SpatialCortex wearable sensor trial for manual handling injury prevention.
• Visit PortsmouthsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism organisation working with port to promote cruise and ferry passenger tourism to the city. Hosts English Tourism Week kickoff events at the port.
• British Ports Association (BPA)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNational ports industry association. Port director Mike Sellers serves as BPA chair. Portsmouth hosted 2024 BPA conference with 300+ delegates.
• Oxford EconomicssupportingOthersIndependent economic consultancy that produced report on port's £400 million contribution to national economy, announced at Parliamentary reception.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Others

• DFDS: Major European ferry and logistics operator with Portsmouth-Jersey service; customer at Portsmouth but direct peer to ferry operators competing for English Channel traffic, with similar LNG-electric hybrid investment plans.
• Brittany Ferries: Flagship Portsmouth ferry operator under 20-year contract; while a customer rather than peer, it shapes Portsmouth's competitive position through its £550M fleet renewal programme and route strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Associated British Ports (ABP): UK's largest port operator running 21 ports including Southampton, Immingham, and Hull; serves as the broad incumbent comparable for combined ferry/cruise/cargo port operations at scale.
• Peel Ports Group: Major UK and Ireland port operator (Liverpool, Dublin, Clydeport); broad incumbent comparable for diversified port operations including ferry, cruise, and cargo with significant infrastructure investment programmes.

Direct peers

• Port of Calais: French port directly facing Portsmouth across the Channel, handling ferry and cruise traffic with comparable infrastructure investments in shore power and LNG bunkering to meet EU emissions standards.
• Port of Southampton: UK's leading cruise turnaround port operated by Associated British Ports, directly competing for cruise line deployments and competing for cargo volumes. Closest UK analogue for combined ferry, cruise, and cargo port operations.
• Harwich International Port: UK east coast port operated by Hutchison Ports handling ferry services to Netherlands and cruise calls; comparable mixed ferry/cruise/cargo port business model serving short-sea European routes.
• Port of Tyne: UK regional port handling cruise calls and cargo; directly involved with Portsmouth in the SpatialCortex wearable sensor trial, indicating similar innovation agendas and comparable scale of operations.
• Port of Dover: UK's busiest ferry port, directly competing with Portsmouth for English Channel ferry traffic to France. Operates ferry terminals for P&O Ferries, DFDS, and Irish Ferries, sharing the same ferry operator customer base and Channel route economics.

Regional players

• Port of Newhaven: Smaller UK south coast ferry port serving Dieppe, offering a regional comparison for municipal-port governance and Channel ferry economics on adjacent routes to Portsmouth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PortsmouthPort
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQmFi9XE07kSx0Em5Idr2bA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PortsmouthInternationalPort
• Instagraminstagram.com/portsmouthintport
• Pinterestpinterest.com/portsmouthport

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portsmouth International Port