Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many ships are being held offshore waiting to be able to unload goods at UK ports as at 15 October 2021.

The specific details of vessel movements to and from our ports, and how they choose to undertake their operations or manage schedules, is a matter for shipping lines, in conjunction with relevant port operators. Waiting at anchor can be part of normal operations, and for many reasons, such as bad weather.

It is the case however, that recent reporting of significant vessel delays at anchor due to supply chain bottlenecks are inaccurate. Very few vessels have been held at anchor and any delays minimal.