Forth Ports commits operations to be carbon neutral by 2032
The UK’s third largest ports group, Forth Ports, has outlined its commitment and the actions it is taking to achieve a Net Zero carbon operation by 2042.
The company, which is Scotland’s biggest port operator, also outlined an interim target of achieving carbon neutral emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2032, while creating an infrastructure platform to help accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy.
To achieve this across the group’s eight ports, the team is overhauling and electrifying equipment and machinery, switching to low carbon fuels, increasing on-site renewable energy generation and promoting low carbon delivery alternatives such as rail and barge. This is complemented by very significant investment in new port infrastructure to support the offshore wind revolution taking place in the North Sea.
Forth Ports is part of the Thames Freeport and Forth Green Freeport* partnerships which are seeking to accelerate the drive to Net Zero across the country.
Sustainable electricity – all eight ports use environmentally sustainable sources of electricity, including on-site wind turbines at Tilbury, London’s major port. All new warehouses will have solar roof panels installed as standard, such as the recently built 100,000 square foot facility at the Port of Grangemouth freight hub. These projects are already satisfying a meaningful proportion of the ports’ power needs. A programme of rolling out new LED lighting is under way to further reduce power use across all port estates.
Low carbon fuels – for mobile equipment and marine fleet, the strategy is to blend and utilise alternative fuels. Initially this involves the widespread use of sustainably sourced hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and, as technology develops, other methods of low emission propulsion. An ongoing programme exists to introduce more fuel-efficient equipment and marine fleet across the asset base. Read more from: www.Forthports.co.uk
The latest being one of our partners, DHL Supply Chain, who announced the introduction of the UK’s first fully electric Volvo heavy duty tractor units. The four Volvo FM electric trucks are designed for high-capacity deliveries operating at 40 tonnes and directly replace diesel vehicles on a range of activities.
The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will be marked with events across the country and a concert at Windsor Castle. Their Majesties want to encourage people to spend the Coronation Weekend celebrating with friends, families and their communities.
Michelle Gardner, deputy director of policy at Logistics UK, said: “The logistics industry is keen to play its part in ensuring it reaches net-zero targets, with decarbonisation a high priority for members across the sector. For many years the logistics industry has been working together to review possibilities for modal shift and to participate in trials, share new ideas and adopt greener technologies. However, further support is required from government, if industry is to meet these ambitious goals.
Drones will be used to deliver packages on remote Scottish islands as part of 9 new innovative freight projects which have been awarded £1.2 million in government funding.
