reports

Aberdeen Port Zero: Zeroing in on Future Sustainability

This report summarises the work undertaken as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2 Aberdeen Port Zero project.

Ports have a major role in helping the maritime industry transition to net zero by 2050. The Port of Aberdeen, in particular, is a crucial player in international energy, trade, and tourism, and is a key enabler within the local, regional, and national supply chains.

A recent study carried out by a team of partners including; Port of AberdeenBuro Happold, Connected Places Catapult, and Energy Systems Catapult, aimed to understand future power demands, low carbon energy supply sources, and developed a roadmap for implementation to decarbonise port operations.

The study explored green alternative power sources and technologies to power port and third-party owned equipment, including road vehicles, cranes, reach stackers, tugs, pilot boats, and quayside infrastructure. In addition, high-level future energy demands were mapped out to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements moving forward.

The results of this study have wider implications across the UK port sector and align with the emissions reductions goals published in the Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Plan of 2019. The study also has strong connections to both the Shore Power Feasibility Study 2021 and the Outline Business Case 2021-2022 carried out at Port of Aberdeen.

This summary aims to highlight all of the project work and outputs and share information that will be helpful for other UK ports on their net zero journey. The summary also lists how the project partners can support ports on their journey and enable the UK maritime sector to take the lead on the decarbonisation journey.

In conclusion, the Port of Aberdeen and its partners are leading the way in decarbonising port operations, and their work will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the UK’s transition to net zero by 2050. As the maritime industry continues to evolve and adapt, it is crucial that ports play their part in reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable future for all.

Aerial view of Aberdeen port showcasing various ships and an oil rig, with text overlay: "Aberdeen Port Zero: Zeroing In on Future Sustainability Summary," funded by Innovate UK.

Aberdeen Port Zero: Zeroing in on Future Sustainability

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File size: 48.69Mb

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News

Decarbonisation and automation innovators join Maritime Accelerator as Royal Navy confirms support

AI supply chain management, autonomous security drones and emission reduction technologies are among the innovations selected to receive expert support.
A group of people, both men and women, stand together smiling in a well-lit, modern conference room with a large screen behind them. They appear to be at a professional event or meeting.

Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, today announced the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to take part in the 2023 Maritime Accelerator.

The companies selected are developing technologies that respond to challenges in the sector around automation and decarbonisation. These areas of focus were identified by the programme partners: DP World Southampton; Houlder; Maersk; the National Shipbuilding Office; Port of Tyne; Serco and the University of Plymouth. These partners have recently been joined by the Royal Navy, which has agreed to provide support to SMEs on the accelerator.

“The Royal Navy is a major user of the UK’s port facilities and maintains an active interest in the development of new technologies that can give our vessels, operations and supporting infrastructure a strategic advantage. By collaborating with Connected Places Catapult we hope to provide subject matter experts on the Accelerator with valuable access and insights to help them develop their innovations.”
Commodore John Voyce, Commanding Officer of HM Naval Base Portsmouth

Over the next three months, the cohort of SMEs will receive bespoke business development, investment readiness and technical support from Connected Places Catapult. They will also gain access to expertise and insights from the programme partners, and an opportunity to explore and design trials with them, funded through the accelerator where applicable.

Meet the SMEs selected for the Maritime Accelerator:

Cargo Stream UK provides a platform that encompasses essential management and integrates AI for the maritime and land transportation industries.

Geospatial Insight brings together data analytics with satellite imagery to help clients in the maritime sector to monitor air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Mission Zero Technologies develops negative emissions solutions to recover CO₂ from the atmosphere for circular use or permanent removal.

PurEmissions has developed filtration technology that allows vessels and ports to meet strict emission limits and reduce their carbon footprint.

Unitrove Innovation provides zero emission fuelling infrastructure such as green liquid hydrogen, green compressed gaseous hydrogen and renewable electricity for maritime applications.

Unmanned Life has developed a software platform known as U-Security that deploys autonomous drones for security surveillance at port facilities.

“Decarbonisation and operational efficiency through automation are top of the agenda for many companies in the maritime sector and the UK has a rich tradition of leading the way in the development of new maritime technologies. Working with our partners, we’re helping the sector to continue this tradition by supporting innovative companies to rise to today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s solutions.”
Mark Wray, Ecosystem Director for Maritime and Ports at Connected Places Catapult
A busy port with shipping containers and cranes at sunset. The text reads "Maritime Accelerator 2023 Cohort Brochure," with a logo at the bottom labeled "Catapult Connected Places.

Maritime Accelerator 2023 Cohort Brochure

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File size: 22.37Mb

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events

London International Shipping Week 2023

The Maritime & Ports Ecosystem team, as well as the Delivery team, will engage in a variety of activity over the course of LISW23.

events

Port Zero – Accelerating the Transition to NetZero

Accelerating the Port of Aberdeen's transition to Net Zero
Aerial view of a coastal harbor featuring large industrial structures, several docked ships, and surrounding infrastructure. The scene includes a contained body of water and nearby town.

Event finished: 30th August 2023

We are delighted to invite you to the Aberdeen Science Centre to hear about our Innovate UK Clean Maritime Demonstration project, Aberdeen Port Zero – accelerating the transition to NetZero.

This half day event will comprise of presentations from both external industry experts and the project team who will share the key findings and outcomes from the ‘Port Zero’ feasibility study. There will also be a Q&A session for you to ask us more about the project.

As seating is limited, we kindly request you apply to attend at your earliest convenience to secure a place and confirm dietary requirements.

We welcome attendees that have not been directly invited by a member of the project team – please also apply to attend the event and we will confirm availability as soon as possible.

We are finalising the full programme and we will update shortly.

The Project

The project aims to transition the Port of Aberdeen’s day to day operations to NetZero by 2040 emissions through adapting and supporting the development and introduction of innovative technology and processes.

The ‘Port Zero’ feasibility study has explored green, alternative power sources and technologies to power port and third party owned equipment including but not limited to road vehicles, cranes, reach stackers, tugs and pilot boats etc, as well as quayside infrastructure.

 

If you have any questions please contact richard.holland@cp.catapult.org.uk

events

Maritime Accelerator 2023 Application Support Webinar

Connected Places Catapult will be hosting an application support webinar for our Maritime accelerator to share information and answer any questions applicants may have.
Aerial view of a busy container port with colorful shipping containers neatly arranged and several cranes loading a ship on the water.

Event finished: 15th June 2023

The Maritime Accelerator is a programme powered by Connected Places Catapult, designed to support SMEs with innovative solutions that can be applied in the maritime sector.

We will select up to 10 SMEs to join the programme where they will receive a bespoke support tailored to their business needs. This will include investment readiness, business modelling, customer profiling and enterprise selling. The SMEs will also be supported by a consortium of industry, government, academic and regulatory partners and some will get an opportunity to design and deliver technology trials.

This application support webinar will cover the programme challenges and guidance on the application process. Connected Places Catapult will work alongside partners to ensure that the programme tackles significant sector challenges and accelerates innovation in the marketplace.

Partners include Port of Tyne, National Shipbuilding Office, Plymouth University, DP World, Serco, and Houlder with further to be announced soon.

For more details on the programme, visit our opportunity page.

events

Maritime Growth Summit 2023

Maritime Growth Summit 2023: Investing in the future of maritime
View of the ocean and a deck of colorful cargo containers from the control room of a ship, showing various navigational equipment and communication devices.

Event finished: 2nd March 2023

The UK maritime innovation ecosystem includes high-potential technology companies, researchers, regulators, port operators, shipping companies and more. This ecosystem spreads across regions and is vital to supporting levelling up, building our new trading future and in increasing the export of UK IP to global markets.

Addressing the challenges faced in the maritime sector is of global importance, where the UK has significant and unique capabilities to tackle these challenges and grow our position as a world leader in maritime technology.

To unlock and support the growth of this ecosystem, Connected Places Catapult has launched the Maritime Innovation Flagship programme, delivered in collaboration with industry. This programme is accelerating the realisation of investment opportunities through innovation, delivering support to industry in identifying high-potential solutions and supporting innovators to achieve their growth potential.

This event will showcase the year one results of this programme, demonstrating the potential of innovation in maritime to deliver not only business benefits, but also to power key Government initiatives such as Levelling Up and stimulating economic growth.

Attendees are invited to engage with our innovators and industry partners and to work with us to shape the activity in year two and maximise our impact for investors, businesses, innovators and regions across the UK.

News

Connected Places Catapult joins Maritime UK

Connected Places Catapult has become an associate member of Maritime UK, the umbrella body and collective voice for the UK’s £55bn maritime sector.
A large container ship docked at a port under a pink and purple twilight sky, with cranes loading and unloading cargo, symbolizing the innovative collaboration as Connected Places Catapult joins Maritime UK.

The maritime industries come together through Maritime UK to make progress on key areas of shared interest. Maritime UK’s national priorities are innovation, people, competitiveness, regional growth and the environment.

Connected Places Catapult follows Port Skills and Safety, which were the latest organisation to join the national umbrella body in December 2021. Maritime UK’s objectives are to champion and work to enable a thriving maritime sector. It does this through a combination of industry coordination and campaigning coupled with its programmes in each priority area.

The Catapult has been growing its impact in the maritime sector over recent years, and sees formalising its partnership with Maritime UK as an excellent way to continue working with the sector, scaling impact and bringing expertise from across multiple other markets in the UK and globally.

The Catapult offers multi-disciplinary, systems-focussed support to the great challenges and opportunities facing global communities today, from decarbonisation of infrastructure and transport to the digitalisation of future cities. In the maritime sector, the Catapult has worked closely with industry, innovators, academia and government to deliver key work such as the UK Ports of the Future Blueprint, the Freeports Playbook, the recently announced Moving on the Mersey initiative and more, including four recent Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition projects. The Catapult supports industry to understand the potential value of new technologies, better targeting investment and building on cross-sector experience whilst accelerating innovative solutions to market, working together with larger technology organisations, SMEs and academia.

“This is an exciting time for Connected Places Catapult, but more importantly it is a time of great challenge and opportunity for the maritime sector both in the UK and in global markets. As the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport and place leadership, our connection with the maritime ecosystem is crucial to building a greener, brighter, more equitable future for the UK economy and our coastal and waterways regions.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022Formalising our membership with Maritime UK as the collective voice of the UK’s maritime sector is a fantastic opportunity to expand and focus our support towards high-impact opportunities for innovators, industry, regions and connected stakeholders. We look forward to growing our collaboration over the years to come and in continuing to work across the wider Maritime UK network to achieve our shared future ambitions.”
Tom White, Ecosystem Director of Maritime and Ports at Connected Places Catapult
u0022We’re excited to welcome Connected Places Catapult to Maritime UK and look forward to working closer still with the team to make progress toward our shared ambitions.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003e“The Catapult has a hugely important role to play across our work programme in delivering Maritime 2050. From people to innovation and regional growth, we’re looking forward to deepening the relationship between our two organisations.”
Ben Murray, Chief Executive of Maritime UK

As part of Maritime UK Week in October, the Catapult will be running two events.

On 12 October the ‘Innovation in Freeports – Driving investment through freeport innovation’ event will be held jointly between Connected Places Catapult, Innovate UK KTN and Maritime UK. This event will bring together leaders from across UK freeports and the wider ecosystem focused on delivering their mission, to share experiences, make new connections and hear global perspectives on successful freeports.

On 14 October Connected Places Catapult, with its partners Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council, will host a Connections Cafe ‘How marine and maritime deliver growth: cross-sector opportunities’. The event will focus on key challenges faced within the industry and identify opportunities driving innovation and prosperity. It aims to encourage collaboration from complementary sectors, ranging from industry to academia, and understand the benefits for those in marine and maritime.  This is an open event – register here.

Read more about joining Maritime UK as a member here.

Read more about Connected Places Catapult’s work here.

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events

Maritime Accelerator Application Support Webinar

Connected Places Catapult will be hosting an application support webinar for our Maritime accelerator to share information and answer any questions applicants may have.
A cargo ship loaded with colorful shipping containers is docked at a port under the watchful eyes of large orange cranes. Trucks and equipment, part of the bustling Maritime Accelerator, are visible on the dock under a partly cloudy sky.

Event finished: 15th August 2022

The Maritime Accelerator is a new challenge-led, 6-month accelerator programme powered by Connected Places Catapult.

The Catapult will select up to 10 SMEs to join the programme where they will receive support from a consortium of industry, government, academic and regulatory partners on the trial and testing of disruptive innovations.

This application support webinar will cover the programme challenges and guidance on the application process.

Through a focus on new and emerging challenges within the maritime ecosystem, Connected Places Catapult will work alongside partners to ensure that the programme tackles significant sector challenges and de-risks innovation in the marketplace. Partners include Port of Tyne, National Oceanographic Centre, National Shipbuilding Office, Plymouth University, DP World and others to be announced.

To find more about the programme, including how to apply, visit our application page.

articles

Our New Magazine – Connected Places

How is digital twin technology changing how we think about everything from cities to railway stations? How will the third age of flight change our skies and the airports of the future? And how are UK cities thinking out of the box to fund net zero investment?
A person holds an orange and blue book titled "Connected Places: Digital twins" in a bustling city street, emphasizing the concept of connected places.
articles

Our New Magazine – Connected Places

How is digital twin technology changing how we think about everything from cities to railway stations? How will the third age of flight change our skies and the airports of the future? And how are UK cities thinking out of the box to fund net zero investment?
A person holds an orange and blue book titled "Connected Places: Digital twins" in a bustling city street, emphasizing the concept of connected places.
articles

Our New Magazine – Connected Places

How is digital twin technology changing how we think about everything from cities to railway stations? How will the third age of flight change our skies and the airports of the future? And how are UK cities thinking out of the box to fund net zero investment?
A person holds an orange and blue book titled "Connected Places: Digital twins" in a bustling city street, emphasizing the concept of connected places.

Get the latest insights from innovators and thought leaders in cities and transport!

This first issue of Connected Places magazine is packed with ideas from the people shaping and connecting the places of tomorrow.

There’s an interview with IT industry veteran Dr. Alison Vincent on how ‘connected intelligence’ is shaping the places of tomorrow, and a look at the future of our maritime economy from the Catapult’s very own Tom White.

We’ve got innovation news, advice on applying academic innovation, and recommendations for places to visit, books to read and podcasts to listen to if you – like us – have an insatiable appetite for new ideas.

Discover the people and companies at the forefront of new ideas for our connected world.

Love this? Then you’ll also love the Connected Places Podcast!