THE Government yesterday outlined its vision for the future of UK ports in a White Paper designed to make them safe, green and competitive.

Transport Minister Keith Hill, who launched the paper said: ''We see our ports as a major component in integrated transport policy.

''The overwhelming importance of ports to our country and their role in transport policy has been neglected. This comprehensive assessment of policy is long overdue.''

The importance of ports to the UK economy is shown in the fact that as many as 35 of them handle more than two million tonnes of cargo a year.

London, the UK's biggest port in terms of tonnage, is Northern Europe's fifth-biggest port, with Tees and Hartlepool also one of the largest in Europe.

Dduring 1999 the North-Eat port handled more than 49 million tonnes of cargo.

Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said more action was needed to develop Teesport.

He said: "First of all we need to see the details of this white paper and what it will actually mean for the port.

"Everyone on Teesside recognises the necessity of the port in the success of our core businesses. The chemical and steel sectors are dependent on the port for their success, and investment is needed."

Part of that investment could lead to the development of dedicated areas of the port reserved for certain industries, and as part of its proposals the Government intends to support the role of UK ports in maintaining UK and regional competitiveness

It is estimated that 95 per cent of international trade is transported by sea, and £250bn of Britain's international trade moved through seaports last year.

Read the report 'Focus on Ports' here.