Aberdeen Harbour announced that it will work with bp to identify and develop projects that could reduce emissions and lower air and noise pollution from vessels calling to the port.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the harbour and bp will explore opportunities in service of their net zero ambitions, including the potential for:
- A pilot project to supply shore power (quayside electrification) allowing vessels to turn off main engines while in port to reduce emissions and noise.
- Supply of a zero or low carbon power supply to all vessels in port, over time.
- Exploring the use of hydrogen as a clean marine fuel.
- Helping to position the harbour to support offshore wind developments and their associated operations and maintenance phase.
The collaboration comes at an exciting time for Aberdeen Harbour as its South Harbour expansion project moves towards the operational commissioning phase.
For bp, the agreement builds on its partnership with Aberdeen City Council, which seeks to help the local authority achieve its net zero strategic infrastructure plan and vision to become a climate positive city.
bp was also recently announced as the preferred bidder to form a new hydrogen hub joint venture with Aberdeen City Council following a competitive procurement process.
The hub aims to create Scotland’s first scalable hydrogen production facility, incorporating solar power, green hydrogen production and a refuelling facility for public transport.
Support for ports and harbours is also a key component of bp and EnBW’s transformational bid in the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round. If successful, this project would see the development of 2.9 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy.
Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, commented on the occassion:
Reducing emissions from vessels berthed in the port and providing low carbon power supplies will be critical to achieving a green maritime industry and requires innovative thinking and practices
Furthermore, bp North Sea Senior Vice President Emeka Emembolu, added that “for nearly 30 years, Aberdeen Harbour has provided bp with world-class facilities in support of our North Sea oil and gas operations.”
