Trade - lifeblood of a port

Passengers and mail Passengers and mail need to be delivered in the shortest possible time. Learn how posts which enabled ships to do this won most of this lucrative traffic.

Food and perishables For hundreds of years Britain has needed to import food to feed itself. Find out how technology and skills developed to handle foods such as meat and fruit.

General cargo General cargo covers a vast range of materials and goods. Discover how a port like Liverpool had the skills and facilities to handle and enormous variety of these cargoes.

Coal and oil Coal ports grew up near the major coalfields; oil companies chose sites near deep water to build their refineries. Learn why this makes it easier to import and transport the raw materials.

Moving the cargo The work of a port does not stop once passengers have left a ship or containers have been unloaded. Discover how inland tranposrt links are vital to a port`s prosperity.