Slower start to trade through the Port of London in 2026, buoyed by a boom in imports from China

Data from the first quarter of 2026, shows a huge rise in imports from China into the Port of London, with an increase of 250% compared to Q1 2025.  

The PLA’s latest Quarterly Trade Report shows how tough global trading conditions have contributed to a drop off in volumes coming through the Port compared with 2025, although last year saw the most trade through the port in 50 years.  

Data from January – March 2026, shows that overall cargo tonnage was down by 7% against the previous quarter to 13 million tonnes, and imports had dropped to the lowest level in two years. As part of that, oil tonnage was down by 16% compared with the previous quarter, to the lowest level since Q1 2022, possibly as a result of the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  

The recent trend seen in the fall of volumes of aggregates, essential to the construction industry, continues. There has now been a reduction in six of the last seven quarters.  

Today’s data also shows a significant rise in the volume of goods coming into the Port from China. Figures from HMRC show there has been an increase in imports from China of 8% nationally compared to the first quarter of 2025. However, within the Port of London that increase is 250%, showing how more importers and shipping lines are choosing London as their preferred destination.  

Within that, some of the biggest categories of imports from China are made up of electronics, and children’s and baby goods.  

Steve Lockwood, Chief Financial Officer at the Port of London Authority, said: 

“2025 saw the most trade through the Port of London in 50 years, so the cooling off in the first quarter of this year should be viewed in that context of a very strong baseline. Of course, geopolitical issues can be a factor and so we may see that reflected in future quarters, too.  

“That said, we continue our ongoing strategy of investing in the Port of London to make it the most attractive and competitive destination for customers. The huge spike in imports from China speaks to the benefit of that approach. An increase of 250% from the UK’s third largest trading partner shows how more importers and shipping lines see London as their port of choice.” 

Read the report