European automotive ports could not find enough room in 2018, a situation made all the more difficult by the fact many of them were turned into parking lots as new diesel emissions regulations in Europe in the form of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) caused wild fluctuations in distribution patterns. Continued trade uncertainty between Europe and the UK, and more globally with upsets between the US and China continuing, had their impact too. However, the main ports also had positive developments to report in terms of long-term infrastructure investment and the adoption of digital technology to improve throughput and security.