UK port drives forward net-zero strategy

Port of Tyne head of health, safety and environment, James Wright, said the port has progressed on reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions and is looking at ways to lower Scope 3, which is far tougher.

He said the port operates its own pilot vessels, launches, quayside cranes and plant, which puts them under Scope 1 and 2. Transitioning these to lower carbon or net-zero carbon would require considerable investment and drop-in fuels, such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which is increasingly used by other vessels and in the aviation industry, and is thus becoming more expensive.

"With our vessels, we are using transition fuels such as renewable HVO, before turning to alternative fuels and potentially other powertrains," he told Riviera. "It is about looking for the right technology. Our cranes and plant require high power."

When asked about the tugboats, Mr Wright said these were outside any scope for the port, although they use its infrastructure and provide services to ships in the harbour. He said tugs were chartered by shipowners, so would be part of their Scope 3.

Svitzer is a world-leader in implementing HVO on its tugboat fleet in the UK, offering environmental low-carbon towage to shipowners.

Port of Tyne manager of innovation for sustainability and energy, Eleni Bougioukou, said a green corridor is being considered between Newcastle and a port close to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This would involve "vessels running on zero-emissions fuels between the ports" and for ships to bunker these fuels from both ports.

This study is with roro ferry operator DFDS, while Mitsui OSK Lines is also looking at a green corridor between Tyne and the Netherlands using low-emissions fuels such as bio-diesel or methanol on car carriers.

"From the beginning, everyone is on board and reassured, so we can accelerate the transition" said Dr Bougioukou.

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