Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second-largest port operator, has unveiled plans to create the nation’s first green shipping corridors to Ireland.
The inaugural routes will connect Belfast to Heysham in Lancashire and Dublin to Birkenhead in Cheshire, with the ambition of making Heysham the UK’s first net-zero port.
To support this initiative, NatPower Marine, a renewables group, will invest approximately US$127 million to develop charging infrastructure for electric vessels across all eight UK and Irish ports operated by Peel Ports Group.
“Natpower Marine is investing to deploy the largest global network of charging points to help solve the ‘chicken and egg conundrum’ facing this industry: shipping lines cannot electrify their vessels if port charging infrastructure is not available, and ports are unable to raise capital for charging infrastructure without certainty of demand from shipping lines,” commented Stefano Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine.
According to a statement, in the UK, ministers committed to establishing zero-emission shipping routes, fully decarbonized from end to end, at COP27. Peel Ports’ initiatives represent the initial phase of a US$4 billion global charging network planned by NatPower Marine, aiming to equip 120 port locations worldwide by 2030.
“The proposals presented as part of this partnership are potentially game-changing, and fully support our ambitions to become a net-zero port operator by 2040. We look forward to working closely with Natpower Marine to explore the possibilities for establishing the first green shipping corridor between the UK and Ireland, and further enabling support for our customers, shipping lines and hauliers as they transition to a greener future,” stated Claudio Veritiero, CEO of Peel Ports Group.
