How will policy shifts and rising energy demands reshape the future of transport and logistics?
New UK port plan to cut costs and help the north grow
The UK government is changing its ports policy to speed up the process of getting planning permission and bring in big investments. The updated National Policy Statement for Ports is now available for public comment. The goal is to speed up the process and make the rules about noise and emissions clearer. The changes, which are backed by £1 billion for Tyne and £37 million for Liverpool, should ease the burden on southern ports by lowering shipping and haulage costs in the Midlands and North. The changes are very important for future trade and infrastructure growth because traffic is expected to rise by 7.8% by 2050.
China’s LNG Reliance puts energy and shipping under strain
China’s growing need for imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) is putting a lot of pressure on its energy system and the global shipping industry. In Guangdong province, which has over a third of China’s gas power plants, about 70% rely on imported LNG. This makes the region vulnerable to price swings and political tensions—something that became clear during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict when gas supplies dropped. Despite these risks, Guangdong boosted its gas capacity by 70% between 2022 and 2024 to help its economy bounce back after COVID. At the same time, the rise in LNG imports is increasing demand for shipping, putting extra strain on maritime logistics. With plans to add even more coal and gas power soon, Guangdong—and provinces like Jiangsu and Zhejiang—face the risk of having too much energy capacity while exports slow down. This situation shows why China needs to speed up renewable energy and improve grid management to reduce its costly LNG dependence and ease pressure on shipping.