In 2023, the number of enterprises in the UK sea and coastal passenger water transport sector stood at 526. Forecast data suggests a steady decline in the number of enterprises, dropping from 524 in 2024 to 515 by 2028. Year-on-year variations from 2024 to 2028 show a small, consistent decrease of approximately 0.57% per year, translating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.43% over the five-year forecast period.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts from environmental regulations, advancing maritime technologies, and fluctuating tourism demand, which could either exacerbate the decline or stabilize enterprise numbers. Additionally, the influence of political and economic factors, such as Brexit consequences, may further affect the sector's dynamics. Adaptive strategies may be crucial for enterprises looking to sustain or grow in this evolving landscape.
