Commercial port operators should retain the main responsibility for deciding where new ports are built around England and Wales, the Department for Transport has said. Financial Times

The ports policy review interim report, published yesterday, identifies areas where the department believes there are potential capacity shortfalls: container ports in south-east England; ports to take small, feeder container ships from continental hubs such as Rotterdam; and ferry facilities around short English Channel and North Sea crossings.

The government is likely to produce a national statement to guide planning policy on ports and will start to commission regular traffic and capacity forecasts.