Sea and coastal passenger water transport

SIC 50100Section H: Transportation and storage|Data verified: 2026-04-17
969Active Companies
Section H: Transportation and storage
Division 50
SIC 50100

What is SIC Code 50100?

SIC code 50100 covers sea and coastal passenger water transport businesses. With 969 active companies, this is a specialised niche within the UK business landscape. It falls under Section H (Transportation and storage) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Sea and coastal passenger water transport industry page.

969
Active
2
Dissolved
1,080
Total
11.9y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 90% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 2 of 1,080 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. Companies in this sector average 11.9 years old, reflecting a balanced mix of established businesses and newer market participants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 41% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 34%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. The leading locations for this sector are LONDON (129), HARROW (69), SWANSEA (33), which together account for 24% of active companies.

Formation by Decade
15%
34%
41%
Pre-1990: 44
1990s: 51
2000s: 142
2010s: 332
2020s: 400

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 50100

What does SIC code 50100 mean?

SIC code 50100 stands for "Sea and coastal passenger water transport" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section H — Transportation and storage. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 50100?

There are currently 969 active companies registered under SIC code 50100 in the UK, out of 1,080 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 90%, meaning 10% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 50100 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for sea and coastal passenger water transport companies (SIC 50100) are: LONDON (129), HARROW (69), SWANSEA (33), SOUTHAMPTON (20), ASHFORD (15). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the sea and coastal passenger water transport sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 41% of currently active SIC 50100 companies were formed since 2020, and 34% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for sea and coastal passenger water transport services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 50100?

Companies classified under SIC 50100 have an average age of 11.9 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include STENA LINE LIMITED, SOUTHAMPTON ISLE OF WIGHT AND SOUTH OF ENGLAND ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY LIMITED, WIGHTLINK LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 50100?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 50200 (Sea and coastal freight water transport), 50300 (Inland passenger water transport), 50400 (Inland freight water transport), 5010 (Sale of motor vehicles). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 50100?

You can search for companies with SIC code 50100 (Sea and coastal passenger water transport) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 50100

Search, filter, and analyse 969 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.