UK Offence Report

The Portsmouth International Port and Camber Harbour Revision Order 2025

UK Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 1223 — creates 8 criminal offences.

8offences created
0recorded in force
0revoked
Made
20 November 2025
In force from
15 December 2025
Extent
Not stated
Subject
Transport: maritime, aviation, rail and harbours
Made under
Harbours Act 1964

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order) — published with the instrument by the department that made it. © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

This Order, made on the application of Portsmouth City Council relates to the statutory undertakings which form part of Portsmouth International Port and the Camber which together form the port. It modernises and consolidates the statutory harbour powers which apply in relation to the port, so that in the future it will be governed under the Order, and the Acts and Orders listed in Schedule 3. The Order provides for— 1 The jurisdiction (article 4) and general functions (article 5) of the Council as the statutory harbour authority for the port, including plans of the port (including the port premises) which can be inspected during working hours at the office of the Marine Management Organisation, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR and office hours at the port office located at Portsmouth International Port Office, Northern Exit Building, Whale Island Way, Portsmouth PO2 8EB. 2 The establishment of an advisory body or bodies consisting of port stakeholders with whom the Council is required to consult on material matters (article 6). 3 Powers to vest in the Council relating to finances including application (article 7), establishment of a reserve fund (article 8), as well as borrowing powers (articles 9 and 10). 4 Powers relating to aids to navigation (article 11), repair of landing places (article 12), works and dredging (article 13), control of certain operations and works of statutory undertakers (article 14), licensing (articles 15 and 16), appeals in respect of works or dredging licences (article 17), and penalties for obstruction of works (article 18). 5 Modernised powers of management and control of the port to vest in the Council including provisions relating to parking places (article 19), removal of vehicles and vessels (article 20), and byelaws (articles 21, 22 and Schedule 1). 6 Powers of general direction and special direction on the Council and the harbour master (defined in article 2) for the regulation and management of the port (articles 23 to 31) (a register of all in force general directions may be inspected during office hours at the port office (article 23)). This Order creates an offence of failing to comply with special directions or general directions, the penalty for which is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 28). A defence of due diligence is available to a person charged under article 28 (article 28(2)). 7 A modern suite of charging powers (articles 32 to 41) including exemptions from ship, passenger and goods dues (article 39) and prevention of sailing of vessels (article 41). 8 Powers relating to dredging (article 42), moorings (articles 43 to 45), the development of land (article 46), power to grant tenancies and dispose of land (article 47), power to appropriate lands and works for particular uses, etc. (article 48), other commercial activities (article 49), and power to delegate functions (article 50). 9 Powers relating to bunkering (article 51), disposal of wrecks (article 52), unserviceable vessels (article 53), removal of obstructions other than vessels (article 54) and boarding of vessels or vehicles (article 55). 10 Provisions relating to tidal works (article 56), power of the Council to prosecute or defend legal proceedings (article 57) and notices (article 58). 11 Saving for Trinity House (article 59), the King’s Harbour Master (article 60) and Crown Rights (article 61). 12 To facilitate the above, the Order repeals and revokes the Acts and Orders set out in Schedule 2 (article 69) and amends the Acts and Orders set out in articles 62 to 68. 13 An impact assessment has not been prepared for this Order as there is no, or no significant, impact predicted on businesses, charities, voluntary bodies or the public sector. An Explanatory Memorandum together with a copy of the port limits plans and the port premises plans is available alongside the instrument on the UK legislation website at .

Offences created by this instrument

What Parliament said about it

Hansard was searched for this instrument by name and returned nothing. That is the ordinary outcome: an instrument laid under the negative procedure is usually never debated, and becomes law without a word said about it in either House.

How Parliament handled it

This instrument became law without a debate or a vote. Under the negative procedure it took effect unless a motion to stop it succeeded, and none was tabled.

Procedure
Made negative — law unless a motion to stop it succeeded
Could either House amend it?
No. A statutory instrument is put to each House as a whole thing, to be approved or not. Neither House can change a word of it.
Committee
Drawn to the special attention of the Houses by a scrutiny committee

Procedural history

From Parliament's Statutory Instruments service. Parliamentary material is reused under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

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