Port of Aberdeen - Experts & Thought Leaders

Construction of Scotland’s largest commercial shore power system started at Port of Aberdeen as part of a £4 million project designed to supply clean electricity to vessels at seven berths. The project is scheduled to deliver its first power in March 2025.  The ‘Shore Power in Operation’ demonstrator project is one of the first of its kind in the UK and was awarded match funding as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition. Modular shore power system  Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to be breaking ground on this project, which is pivotal on our journey to net zero by 2040. This is a great example of public and private partnership to drive forward advances in delivering green infrastructure for ports.” The shore power system, also known as ‘cold-ironing’, is being installed by PowerCon, the market pioneer in shore power technology. The installation includes connecting the modular shore power system to the grid, as well as establishing quayside connection points via mobile cable reels. Port’s renewable energy Vessels will receive clean, grid-powered electricity under the port’s renewable energy tariff Vessels will receive clean, grid-powered electricity under the port’s renewable energy tariff while berthed at Albert Quay and Means Quay in the port’s North Harbour. This allows vessels to shut off their main and auxiliary engines while at berth and reduce their carbon emissions by more than 80% compared to marine gas oil (MGO) usage, and significantly lower particulates, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), and noise. Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said: “Decarbonising shipping is crucial to our plans of creating more sustainable jobs and a cleaner environment. Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in achieving this, putting the UK at the forefront of sustainable port technology and anchoring its position as a global pioneer in tackling climate change.” Shore power facilities The trailblazing initiative is being delivered in partnership with a consortium of technology and innovation centres, engineering specialists, state-of-the-art vessel owners and operators, a university and research centre, as well as public sector bodies. The project will evaluate both land-side and vessel-side power infrastructure construction and performance, along with a commercial analysis to assess the financial and socio-economic benefits for the port and its stakeholders. Building on prior funding for a feasibility study, this project has outlined the system design for demonstration-scale shore power facilities. Additionally, the partners will analyse the broader impact of transitioning to greener power within the port. Net zero port by 2040 Port of Aberdeen investing up to £55 million over 10 years to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040 Peter Selway, Shore Power Specialist, PowerCon, said: “Aberdeen is at the forefront of renewable and sustainable energy initiatives. We hope this project will provide substantial commercial and environmental benefits for the port, its surrounding wildlife, and the local community.” Port of Aberdeen is investing up to £55 million over 10 years to become the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. It is notably the only UK port to be involved in three of the 10 projects supported by the Department for Transport’s ZEVI competition. Operational activities for renewable energy Two areas of the port’s North Harbour, Albert Quay West and Commercial Quay West, are already benefiting from shore power facilities, supporting operational activities for renewable energy customers and towage providers. In addition to the ‘Shore Power in Operation’ project, this technology is being installed on Regent Quay as part of Bibby Marine’s electric Service Operation Vessel ZEVI project. Additionally, work is underway to install shore power infrastructure for Serco NorthLink’s passenger ferries, funded by a substantial seven-figure investment from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.

North, a pioneering provider of smart integrated solutions, has been awarded contracts to the value of £1 million by the Port of Aberdeen to improve the safety, connectivity and sustainability of Scotland’s largest berthing port. The contract includes the upgrade and expansion of the port’s CCTV and security systems and the deployment of private 5G, public Wi-Fi and IoT networks to support a range of solutions to improve operations and customer experience. Marine infrastructure project The partnership follows the transformational £420 million expansion of the port’s South Harbour which represented the largest marine infrastructure project in Trust history and officially opened in September 2023.  North has designed and deployed an expansive CCTV and security system across the port’s North Harbour and South Harbour. This includes integrated video management systems, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and access control. Smarter approach to security management 5G network will enrich contacts while keeping applications such as drone technology Robust 4K marine-grade cameras with video analytics now provide visibility as vessels approach the port, enabling a smarter approach to security management. Upgrades to control barriers and ANPR integration have strengthened real-time event detection and traffic management, ultimately helping to better safeguard people and resources across the Port. The 5G investment will allow the Port of Aberdeen to install a high-performing private 5G network, providing better connectivity at the new South Port. The 5G network will enhance communications while supporting applications such as drone technology, smart bollards and 5G cameras. Introduction of 5G infrastructure The introduction of 5G infrastructure will move data piling  via the use of new technologies With 6,948 vessels utilising the port in 2023, the introduction of 5G infrastructure will advance data gathering through the use of new technologies and importantly, support the Port of Aberdeen’s goal of becoming the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. The technology will allow the Port of Aberdeen to provide a safe, secure and connected environment that can further its growth and sustainability targets through their newly secured contracts with cruise operators and shipping companies that will be responsible for building renewable energy sources in the North Sea. 2040 net zero strategy Jon Oakey, Chief Financial Officer at Port of Aberdeen, said: "Port of Aberdeen is focused on using cutting edge technology to achieve its aspirations, both in maintaining operations at the port and delivering our award-winning, industry-pioneering 2040 net zero strategy." "The additional data available through the installation of these systems will allow our team to make more informed decisions that will continue to enable us to offer the operational excellence that our customers expect. We look forward to continuing the journey with North following these awards." Monitor environmental factors The introduction of IoT solutions will allow the Port of Aberdeen to monitor environmental factors Complementing the new 5G network, the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions will allow the Port of Aberdeen to monitor environmental factors through sensor technology. This will provide it with data-led insight into applications such as waste management, air quality, parking, waste, flooding and occupancy across the site. Julie Hutchison, business development manager at North, said: “North is focussed on delivering stronger networks and smarter places, and we are proud to help Port of Aberdeen realise this. Its transformational expansion and mission to become Scotland’s first premier net zero port will be accelerated through its prioritisation of and investment into smart solutions." End-to-end technology solutions Hutchison added: “North is uniquely placed to offer end-to-end technology solutions and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Port of Aberdeen as we embark on the next phase of the project." "As part of this, we will work closely with the team to explore how data and trends are accessible through the technology which can drive operational efficiencies and support the Port’s digital transformation ambitions.”

Bespoke solutions provider RMI has given its support to a charter aimed at improving and supporting the mental health of North Sea workers, becoming the latest signatory in industry-wide efforts led by the North Sea Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). With over 20 years of health and safety provision to the offshore industry, RMI is well positioned to utilise and build upon its existing mental health provision to further promote and encourage open conversations about mental health and well-being. Author's quote RMI joins a range of organisations, including Noble, the Port of Aberdeen and Borr Drilling Alex Janzen, Chief Operating Officer at RMI, commented: “At RMI we are committed to staying at the forefront of medical service provision, and we are delighted to be a signatory of this charter. We are proud to stand alongside our colleagues within the offshore industry, to promote and encourage employers to consider mental health to be as important as physical health in the workplace.” RMI joins a range of organisations, including Noble, the Port of Aberdeen and Borr Drilling, in supporting the initiative in order to effect positive change within the offshore energy industry. Joined-up approach The charter is set out to create a shared framework that organisations can adopt throughout the industry, forming a universal, joined-up approach using key learnings and sharing them with peers. Instigated by the North Sea Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), it includes contributions from almost 200 representatives from operators, contractors, psychologists, and third-sector organisations.