Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, together with project partners Forth Ports, Targe Towing, Logan Energy, PlusZero and Waterwhelm, today (13 March) showcased the world’s first Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator that uses clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when berthed in port.

The project integrates innovative water treatment, waste heat utilisation and hydrogen production to provide clean shore power for maritime operations – an important step in the decarbonisation of ports. The highly innovative project sees the large tugs, operated by Targe Towing at the Port of Leith, now powered by green hydrogen when tied up.

This project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme*, a £236m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.

The event, attended by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and senior stakeholders from industry and the hydrogen supply chain, delivered a live demonstration of the hydrogen-powered system and sessions on clean energy innovation. The event directly relates to the Forth Green Freeport (FGF)** innovation objectives to grow the hydrogen economy and the alternative fuel market across the FGF area.

Using specialist water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm, fresh re-use water is made from effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment works which is then used to produce green hydrogen at The Port of Leith without compromising local water supplies. Waterwhelm’s leading technology enables water re-use and desalination processes to operate at significantly lower pressure, providing lower maintenance benefits as well as the world’s lowest-ever rate of electricity consumption and carbon emissions for water re-use.

Green hydrogen specialist partners Logan Energy and PlusZero apply their expertise to bring the clean power solution to the port – a significant collaboration that highlights major strides in Scottish hydrogen innovation.  Using a process known as electrolysis, East Lothian-based Logan Energy’s electrolyser technology splits the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used as a clean fuel for PlusZero Power’s Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) powered generator which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when they are in port, replacing the need for polluting diesel generators.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “This is a world first for Scotland – a Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator that uses clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when docked in port. It is really encouraging to see the Port of Leith leading the way and putting this kind of technological innovation into action.

 “We know that Scotland benefits from a diverse and successful maritime sector that contributes significantly to our economy. What’s been proven here is that innovative use of green hydrogen can help decarbonise ports and shipping and I hope to see this replicated in ports across the UK and beyond.

 “Scotland has the potential to be a leading international hydrogen nation, and the Scottish Government is fully committed to helping the Scottish hydrogen sector develop and grow. We are creating a hydrogen economy that will provide economic benefit and a renewable and low carbon source of energy to help meet our net zero ambitions.”

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Forth Ports said: “This is an exciting green fuel transition initiative for Forth Ports and Targe Towing as we work towards our commitment to reduce carbon emissions across Forth Ports’ group operations to become net zero by 2042.  This is the first project of its kind to be demonstrated at a UK port and we are thrilled that Targe Towing has been nominated for the prestigious Tug Innovation of the Year award.”

 Ali Abbassi Monjezi, Director at Waterwhelm, said: “Water and hydrogen both play major roles in our transition to net zero emissions. In this context, the interconnectivity of wastewater treatment sites with hydrogen production plants can enable multiple synergistic gains. Importantly, it future-proofs water supply for hydrogen production at a time of declining water availability due to climate change and population growth. Through this project, we have demonstrated how this interconnectivity can be achieved using Waterwhelm’s technology for water supply to green hydrogen production at The Port of Leith.”

 Craig Stewart, Business Development Director for Logan Energy, said:“The Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator showcases the vital role green hydrogen will play in achieving global net zero goals. At Logan Energy, we are proud to contribute our expertise and specialist equipment to this groundbreaking project. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our partners to scale up this technology, enabling more vessels, in more ports, to be berthed and powered with zero emissions.”

David Amos, Managing Director of PlusZero Power, said: “Our mission at PlusZero Power is to deliver clean, green hydrogen solutions that help our customers decarbonise their operations and this project is a significant step towards reducing maritime emissions. We are proud to be collaborating with our partners whose expertise and shared commitment to hydrogen innovation are essential in driving meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future.”

Mike Biddle, Executive Director, Net Zero, Innovate UK said: “This project shows how powerful collaborative innovation can be to prosper from the net zero transition.  By working in partnership with the Department for Transport and companies throughout the UK we’re showing we can grow the UK economy and achieve our climate commitments.”  

 ENDS –

Forth Ports has submitted Detailed Planning Consent and Listed Building Consent to The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for phase two of Harbour 31, known as ‘The Dry Dock at Harbour 31’, an exciting creative and commercial hub on land to the south east of Edinburgh Dock within the Port of Leith.

The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 development is part of the wider Harbour 31 regeneration plan currently used for industrial port activities, the proposal will transform the site into a dynamic, mixed-use development that will cater to a diverse range of businesses, from creatives and visual artists to port related enterprises and other commercial sectors.

The redevelopment will also introduce new public spaces, opening up previously inaccessible areas of the port to the wider community. Featuring repurposed shipping containers which will provide flexible, inspiring workspaces that respect the site’s industrial heritage while creating a collaborative, professional, and sociable environment.

Pamela Smyth, Chief Legal and Property Officer, of landowners Forth Ports Limited, said: “Our application for The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 aims to deliver a vibrant, creative and commercial hub that integrates this historical site with its surroundings and will introduce new public spaces and open up previously inaccessible areas of the port to the community.

“Through significant investment, the Port of Leith is transitioning into a leading offshore renewables hub and coupled with this proposed development, this adds to the current regeneration of Leith and the waterfront.”

 29 January 2025                         – ends –

Scotland’s largest agricultural products hub (“agri-hub”) at the Port of Rosyth has made a further major investment in specialist haulage equipment to support the large tonnage of bulk cargos the port handles each year. The multimillion-pound investment sees the delivery of 10 tractors and 13 trailers which will primarily support the bulk cargo import work with agri feed specialist Cefetra,

Cefetra, a long-term customer of the Port of Rosyth, supplies the Scottish market with key raw materials for the feed, food and drink industries, and has imported over 2 million tonnes of agri bulk into the port since the partnership started in 2020.

The 10 new tractors are New Holland T6.180’s built in Basildon, Essex with 13 Marshall QM1400 (18.4 cubic meter, 20t capacity) trailers manufactured in Aberdeen. All the equipment, supplied by Bryson Tractors Ltd, is TASCC (Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops) certified, a quality accreditation, to allow them to handle food and feed products. [NB: See images of five tractors and trailers at The Port of Rosyth provided with this release].

Commenting on the investment, Andy Lamb, Asset Manager at the Port of Rosyth said: “This significant investment in our agri-hub in Rosyth ensures that we are able to provide excellent haulage support for our important customer Cefetra with the large volume of agri-bulk imported each year. Coupled with our bespoke agri-bulk warehousing at the port, we are in the perfect location to ensure that the supplies reach the key farming and food market in Scotland. Our thanks to the team at Bryson Tractors for delivering the tractors and trailers in time for a busy 2025 ahead.”

 James Neilson, Supply Chain Director, Cefetra said: “We are delighted to see this significant investment at the Port of Rosyth, which underscores its vital role as Scotland’s premier agri-hub. The addition of specialist haulage equipment will enhance the port’s operational efficiency and capacity, directly supporting the high volumes of bulk cargo we handle together.

 “As a long-term partner of the Port of Rosyth, Cefetra is proud to contribute to Scotland’s feed, food, and drink industries by ensuring a reliable supply of key raw materials. The import of over 2 million tonnes to date highlights the strength of this partnership and its importance to Scotland’s agricultural and industrial sectors.

This investment is a clear commitment to supporting sustainable growth in the agri-supply chain. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Port of Rosyth to deliver quality and efficiency for our customers across Scotland.”

 Stuart Dickson, Sales Manager from Bryson Tractors Ltd, who supplied the Marshall Trailers and New Holland Tractors said “We are really pleased to work with Forth Ports on this project.  Working along with our suppliers, we put together a comprehensive package to meet the requirements and timescales of Forth Ports.  Our team at Bryson Tractors and our suppliers put in a huge effort to deliver this project. It’s great to see the machines now operating on-site. We are looking forward to continue supporting Forth Ports and Cefetra in the future.”

Forth Ports has set out its ambition to achieve net zero operations across the group by 2042 and, as part of this, the Port of Rosyth is working through a transition to move all plant and equipment to run on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). This process began in 2023 with the dedicated Agri Hub equipment including the mobile harbour crane and eco hopper switching to HVO.

The agri-hub in Rosyth, which opened in 2020, handles an extensive range of important agricultural products for Scottish animal feed, food and drink and farming industries. The port’s warehouse capacity for agri products can store up to 100,000 tonnes. The new equipment will be based in Rosyth, Leith and Dundee with the majority of tonnage being handled in Rosyth. They will join the existing fleet of specialist bulk cargo moving equipment at the port including the Liebherr mobile harbour crane with SAMSON ecological hopper to manage dust emission.

The location and facilities at the Agri-Hub on the Firth of Forth ensure an efficient supply chain as cargo can be shipped directly from many origins from all around the World to Scotland without the need for trans-shipments at a European port. This also means there is a reduction in truck road miles as the hub is located centrally in Scotland for many farmers and food manufacturers.

Rosyth’s location and logistical links to the motorway network, make it ideally suited to supply all areas of Scotland and Northern England. The port has both deep sea and short sea capabilities. To create the agri-hub, the Port of Rosyth was deepened to provide a true deep-water port capable of taking vessels carrying up to 50,000 tonnes of cargo.

 23 January 2025                          – ENDS –

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, toured Scotland’s first purpose built offshore wind marshalling facility at the Port of Dundee.

The award-winning Port of Dundee’s renewables hub became fully operational in 2022, following a private investment of £40 million by Forth Ports. The port is a key part of the company’s ambitious growth plans across the country to deliver transformational green port infrastructure ahead of market demand to service the growing offshore wind industry.  This is delivering results in supply chain development for Scotland.

As part of a tour of the port, the Secretary of State met graduates and apprentices and saw first-hand the port logistics of moving offshore wind components to site in the North Sea. Dundee is currently a marshalling and assembly base for the 54 turbine 450MW Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Farm project, which is under construction 15km off the coast of Fife and has started to generate electricity.

Following the completion of NnG, the Port of Dundee is it set to become the marine hub for the 72 turbine 1.1GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm project scheduled to be built off the coast of Angus.

Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the Port of Dundee, part of the Forth Ports group. It was great to see in action their track record of investing in port infrastructure to support the growing domestic supply chain for offshore wind. That includes the creation of a bespoke renewables hub in Dundee. Along with their hub in Leith, this is a key part of Scotland’s transition to clean energy and to growing our green technologies.”

Stuart Wallace, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, who hosted the Secretary of State, said: “It was great to welcome the Secretary of State to see Scotland’s premier renewables hub in operation.  We continue to invest in dedicated wind terminal infrastructure to secure green jobs for Scotland, as the nation looks to build its offshore wind industry supply chain capacity.  Our new large-scale, purpose-built offshore wind operations at Dundee and Leith* will help grow that footprint further.

 “Our recent investment in infrastructure, people and marine services, coupled with Dundee’s strategic location, mean that Forth Ports is already supporting a pipeline of offshore wind projects that are delivering the country’s net zero, energy security and renewables targets.”

*The Port of Leith completed construction of its new renewables berth which is part of the transformation of the port into a renewable energy hub that will create thousands of high-quality green jobs and be able to accommodate the largest of offshore wind construction vessels. There will be a large lay down area to allow wind farm components to be stored and assembled and we’re working hard to attract a manufacturer to the site.

In 2023, Forth Ports launched its Net Zero Plan 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 – like Dundee, Leith and Burntisland – to accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy.

Stuart Wallace recorded a short video about the Secretary’s visit here .

– Ends –

The Port of Tilbury (as part of the London Construction Hub), in conjunction with Essex Chambers of Commerce, welcomed several businesses involved within construction for a tour around their facilities. Attendees included Balfour Beatty & Indurent, who were impressed by the scale of the operations and the complete solutions that the London Construction Hub could provide to construction projects.

Denise Rossiter, CEO, Essex Chambers commented:

“During the tour, members were given an in-depth look at the hub’s cutting-edge services, including its streamlined supply chain operations, vast storage capabilities, and 24/7 resilient transport links. As a vital logistics hub on London’s doorstep, the Port of Tilbury demonstrated how it reduces material miles and carbon emissions with expertise in cargo handling and marine services whilst providing tailored solutions to meet the growing demands of construction projects across the region.”

Daniel Galvin, Commercial Manager, Port of Tilbury commented:

“The London Construction Hub, has a proven track record for providing logistics solutions to major construction projects. We can provide total solutions to projects in London and the South East, presenting them with an excellent opportunity to deliver their projects with the lowest of carbon footprints whilst saving valuable space on site by utilising our material stockpiling expertise, the low embodied carbon materials imported by on-site suppliers, and our excellent river, rail, and road connectivity.”

In conjunction with Essex Chamber of Commerce, the London Construction Hub will look to welcome further businesses to visit the facilities and view the opportunities surrounding low carbon project delivery and supply chain consolidation.

For more information on the London Construction Hub, and how they may assist a construction project, please visit https://www.londonconstructionhub.co.uk/

For more information on how you can become a member of the Essex Chamber of Commerce, please visit https://www.essexchambers.co.uk/

Tilbury on the Thames Trust in Partnership with The Port of Tilbury is celebrating the achievement of securing an incredible £4,478,310 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver its ambitious plans to fully refurbish Tilbury’s Grade II listed historic Riverside Railway Station to bring the historic landmark back to life as a vibrant community location.

The funding for the Back on Track* project marks a milestone in the Trust’s efforts over a number of years to secure major funding to transform the railway station into an exciting space for community events, studios for local artists, and a place to enjoy a cup of coffee in a new riverside café while watching the ships go by along the Thames. The transformation will celebrate the building’s rich heritage, from the arrival of the Empire Windrush to its legacy as a key stop for cruise liners today and from a bygone era.

To mark the funding award, a new video has been released today: https://vimeo.com/1017920540/e3f5fb3402?share=copy (please credit The Port of Tilbury if using this)

Commenting on the funding achievement, Paul Dale, Chair of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and COO of Forth Ports, said: “The Port of Tilbury is a gateway to the world along the River Thames, and we are proud of our maritime heritage and trade. The news that we have received National Heritage Lottery funding is very exciting, Tilbury on the Thames Trust have had a vision for the Tilbury Riverside Station in partnership with the Port for many years, and now this funding will bring the station back to life ensuring the local stories are told and preserving the rich history of the Riverside Station for generations to come.”

Scott Sullivan, co-founder of Tilbury on the Thames Trust, said: “Tilbury has literally won the Lottery! Back on Track shows how Lottery players really can make dreams come true, with this award enabling us to safeguard this remarkable building for the nation whilst also celebrating the personal stories and connections local people have. We hope our project demonstrates how residents and businesses can come together to realise something special for their community.”

 Lucy Emma Harris, Board member of Tilbury on the Thames Trust said: “Our successful application for the funding has been years in the making, driven by the dedication of the Tilbury on the Thames Trust, in close partnership with the Port of Tilbury. The Trust are extremely grateful to the many community stakeholders who rallied behind this project, including local schools Tilbury Towns Fund and local heritage groups. Their commitment to preserving this important local landmark along the River Thames highlights the station’s significance in our national story as a place of arrivals and departures, with countless stories woven into its past.

 “We look forward to welcoming the community back to Tilbury Riverside Station and invite everyone to be part of its exciting regeneration journey.”

 About the project

*Back on Track: Tilbury Riverside Station – £4,478,310 grant – Designed by Sir Edwin Cooper and built in the 1920s, Tilbury Riverside Station forms the core of the historic Port of Tilbury, a gateway to the world for almost 100 years, through which goods, people and their stories have passed to and from the UK. Most famously perhaps, this includes members of the British Caribbean Community who arrived with the SS Empire Windrush in 1948. Tilbury has also been interconnected with the River Thames and the defence of London for centuries made stark by Queen Elizabeth’s ‘heart and stomach of a king’ speech in the face of the Spanish Armada.

Back on Track is a partnership between local people and Forth Ports, which will place the building back at the heart of the local community. The restored Riverside Station will form part of the exciting redevelopment of the Tilbury waterfront, complementing Tilbury Town Fund developments, with a new café, event space, along with direct access to the River Thames. The former railway station will also include artist studios to support local business, education and investment, while permanent exhibition space will explore the history of Tilbury and its role in major national and international events. A four-year programme of engagement will explore personal histories through community research, exhibitions and events, bringing Tilbury’s rich and multi-faceted history to life.

The £4,478,310 in funding will revitalise Tilbury and create a thriving and vibrant community hub, boosting the local economy and reestablishing the town as a cultural destination. Funding will allow a full regeneration of the station building, creating 8 studio lets for local artists, a new café to offer a stop for thousands of travellers and open up the main ticket hall for community events. The project will facilitate training and learning opportunities within the community providing 6 volunteer roles, 302 volunteering opportunities and 9,000 volunteer hours, as well as almost 18,000 heritage engagement opportunities including exhibitions, community markets and workshops for locals and tourists.

‘Back on Track’ will be delivered by Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with the Port of Tilbury as owners of the Riverside Station.  Both will be jointly accountable for the grant.

10 October 2024                              – ends –

At a special dedication ceremony at the Port of Leith this week, six tugs were given a traditional marine blessing with their godmothers present. They form part of the large fleet of tugs and work boats operated by Targe Towing Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forth Ports Limited, which provide towage, emergency response and other services 24 hours a day principally on the Forth and Tay, two of the UK’s busiest waterways, the North East ports of Scotland and offshore.

The ceremony also marked, by the merged entities, 40 years of continuous towage operations at Braefoot Bay and 30 years of operations at Hound Point Marine Terminal both located on the River Forth. Bishop of Brechin, Rt Rev Andrew Swift, led the blessing of the tugs, which are named the Balmerino, Camperdown, Inchcolm, Kittiwake*, Peterel and Queensferry and, to follow the tradition of assigning a female godmother to a marine vessel, each tug had its godmother at the ceremony.

• MT BALMERINO – Godmother Carole Cran – Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Forth Ports
• MT CAMPERDOWN – Godmother Lesley Dorman – Lesley is married to Captain Nick Dorman, MD of Targe Towing
• MT INCHCOLM – Godmother Tyne Reilly – FNGL Plant Manager at Shell
• MT KITTIWAKE* – Godmother Pamela Smyth – Chief Legal and Property Officer at Forth Ports
• MT PETEREL – Godmother Karen Wallace – Karen is married to Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports
• MT QUEENSFERRY – Godmother Angela Gardner – Angela is married to Andrew Gardner, CEO of INEOS Forties Pipeline Services, owner of the tug.

[*The Kittiwake was operating elsewhere and not present at the ceremony.]

Representatives from Damen Shipyard, Robert Allan Naval Architects and Sanmar Shipyard who designed and built the tugs, welcomed the ship’s godmothers with a gift exchange. The Tugs, crewed by expert mariners, are established work horses of the Targe Towing and INEOS FPS marine fleets and have a long life span which can last decades. These state-of-the-art vessels demonstrate the latest technology and significantly enhance the overall towage capability and emergency response for the region.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports said; “This investment in enhanced marine services by Targe and INEOS FPS is a commitment to maintaining safe operations on the Forth, Tay and elsewhere as well as delivering excellent services to our customers. The Forth and Tay are two of the busiest waterways in the UK with thousands of vessels navigating the rivers including very large crude carriers (VLCC) to Hound Point, container vessels into Scotland’s largest container terminal at Grangemouth; jack up rigs into Dundee; cruise liners calling across our ports and deep water anchorages; and gas carriers to and from Braefoot Bay.” 

Captain Nick Dorman, Managing Director of Targe Towing said:  “These modern additions to our combined fleet will give us the flexibility and enhanced capability to future proof the growing maritime needs as the region transitions to alternative energy sources as well as maintaining the current demands.”

Andrew Gardner, CEO of INEOS FPS said: “We are delighted to be joining our partners on the Forth at this dedication ceremony and welcoming these modern and highly efficient tugs to support our Operations. In addition, I would like to mention and thank Targe Towing for 30 years of support and service on Hound Point and recognise their achievement in this time with a zero lost time safety record.”

 3 October 2024                                              -Ends-