Port of Aberdeen and bp to collaborate on decarbonising port operations
Port of Aberdeen has today 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 Port of Aberdeen as its South Harbour expansion project moves towards the operational commissioning phase. The highly capable port infrastructure will play an integral role in meeting Scotland’s net zero ambitions and the greening of the maritime industry.
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 partner 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 as well as significant investment to accelerate Scotland’s energy transition.
Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of Port of Aberdeen, said:
“This collaboration with bp comes at a significant time for Port of Aberdeen, and combined with our multi-million-pound investments into our infrastructure and established three-stranded Green Port strategy, propels us into being Scotland’s leading port for energy transition.”
“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.
“We look forward to working with bp and our stakeholders to further realise net zero ambitions, combine our expertise and ultimately bring prosperity to the north-east of Scotland and the wider maritime and energy industry.”
bp North Sea Senior Vice President Emeka Emembolu added: “For nearly 30 years, Port of Aberdeen has provided bp with world-class facilities in support of our North Sea oil and gas operations. We are delighted to be strengthening that relationship in a way that we believe will help further the net zero ambitions of both organisations.
“We will be bringing bp’s core skills in solving complex energy problems to a progressive and highly capable port that is uniquely positioned to play an integral part in Scotland’s energy transition.”
