The UK-registered trading fleet has risen for the first time in four years but UK-owned tonnage declined by 18%.
Stats produced by the department for transport have brought the contradictory facts to light, which made the UK Chamber of Shipping pleased and concerned at the same time.
The total tonnage of vessels on the UK Ship Register went up from 12.6 to 13.7m dwt.
But UK direct-owned tonnage slipped to 13.5m dwt, down from 16.5m dwt.
Guy Platten, chief executive of the UK Chamber, said: “The rise of 8% of UK-flagged tonnage, for the first time in four years, is a positive sign of the nascent recovery in confidence in the UK Ship Register, and follows the government’s commitment to undertake significant reform of the register and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).”
Platten added the UK has to create a friendly business environment in order to build the major shipowners of the future.
“If we are to compete and grow as a maritime nation we must build a business environment where shipowning is attractive to entrepreneurs and investors, and ensure that these businesses are given the necessary support to enable them to grow into the major shipowners of the future,” he said.
