NatPower Marine and Peel Ports Group announced development of the first green corridors between Ireland and the UK, according to Splash 247.
The green shipping corridor project envisages that NatPower Marine, part of the UK’s NatPower Group, will develop the UK’s first commercial electric vessel charging network to support electric propulsion and cold ironing.
The global network will involve specialised e-vessel charging infrastructure in all eight UK and Irish ports operated by Peel Ports Group. The plan also includes the installation of electric vehicle, van and heavy-goods-vehicle (HGV) chargers for commercial EVs passing through the ports.
Over 3,000 ships cross the Irish Sea each year, emitting 230,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), 20,000 tonnes of nitrous oxide (NOx), and 18,000 tonnes of sulphur oxide (SOx) into the atmosphere.
Under the proposal, the first Irish Sea green corridors include Belfast-Heysham and Dublin-Birkenhead. Meanwhile, The Heysham Port has reduced emissions from its land-based plant, equipment, and vehicles by 90 per cent.
The plans mark the first step in a new £3bn ($3.81bn) global network of charging stations planned by NatPower Marine for 120 ports around the world by 2030. Stefano Sommadossi, CEO at NatPower Marine, stated:
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.
Previously, the UK Government launched a £1.5m funding bid to create green corridors between the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Ireland. The funding package was announced at London International Shipping Week 2023. It covers the transport of passengers and freight to and from the UK.
It aims to support feasibility studies for the development of green corridors. The government is considering the development of the necessary infrastructure along the routes to enable ships to run on clean fuels, as well as any regulatory support. Rhett Hatcher, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping, also praised the move.
