BRITAIN'S GLOBAL GATEWAY
Humber Freeport
BRITAIN'S GLOBAL GATEWAY
About Humber Freeport
A global gateway for international trade and investment
Humber Freeport will accelerate the region as a world-leading hub for renewable energy, clean growth, digital innovation and advanced manufacturing.
The Humber is centred around the UK’s busiest port complex. The four major ports of Hull, Goole, Immingham and Grimsby handle around 17 per cent of the nation’s trade, and play a vital strategic role for the UK as a global trade gateway.
Freeport status will inject £650m of investment into the Humber, providing a catalyst for future investment, job growth, regeneration, decarbonisation and innovation.
With global investment opportunities in sectors including green energy, chemicals, logistics, advanced manufacturing and technology, Humber Freeport will combine the public and private sectors to drive economic transformation.
Humber Freeport - brochure
The Humber Freeport brochure gives more information
about the customs and tax sites, the projects involved,
and the opportunities available
Download brochure
What is a Freeport?
Freeports are a special kind of port where normal tax and customs rules do not apply. These can be airports as well as maritime ports. At a freeport, imports can enter with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs. Businesses operating inside designated areas in and around the port can manufacture goods using the imports and add value, before exporting again without ever facing the full tariffs or procedures.
If the goods move out of the freeport into another part of the country, however, they have to go through the full import process, including paying any tariffs.
Freeports are similar to free zones, or ‘enterprise zones’, which are designated areas subject to a broad array of special regulatory requirements, tax breaks and government support. The difference is that a freeport is designed to specifically encourage businesses that import, process and then re-export goods, rather than more general business support or regeneration objectives.
Freeports are intended to stimulate economic activity in their designated areas. The main intention is to attract inward investment to build new facilities such as manufacturers or research and development facilities which bring jobs to an area, taking advantage of the incentives of being inside the Freeport zone.
Foreword - by Simon Bird, Chair of Humber Freeport
The Humber region stands as a beacon of opportunity, poised to ignite the UK’s green energy revolution and guide us towards a brighter, more prosperous future. With the challenge of climate change comes a unique chance to reshape our world, driving economic growth while advancing the nation’s net zero ambitions.
As the industrial cluster responsible for the highest CO2 emissions in the country, the Humber’s transformation is not just desirable, it’s imperative. The region’s decarbonisation is central to the Government’s net zero objectives, but it is also a gateway to energising our economy and building energy resilience.
Humber Freeport is at the forefront of this transformation, with a mission to attract investment and stimulate innovation into both established and emerging industries. We have identified significant opportunities to expand our fast-growing renewable energy sectors, as well as potential major investments in chemicals, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and technology.
The momentum behind the Humber as a prime location for substantial investments is undeniable. These investments are set to deliver long-lasting economic benefits, and the region’s advantages for investors are magnified when developments are located within the Humber Freeport footprint.
We have already witnessed the positive impact, with numerous major investments from international companies. But this is just the beginning. The Humber Freeport has the power to transform not only the regional prospects but the entire UK.
With our collective vision, ambition, and infrastructure already established, it’s imperative that we act decisively to shape a future that is not only sustainable but also thriving and resilient. The Humber is poised to lead the charge, and we have a responsibility to ensure it does so.
SIMON BIRD
CHAIR OF HUMBER FREEPORT
Regional Director, Associated British Ports
Who's involved?
These organisations have so far been involved in Humber Freeport.
There is opportunity for much more too.
