Port projects key to consultancy success

Tunley Environmental has reported turnover of £1.55 million for 2023-24, representing growth of more than 200% in a year.

Crucial to this success has been the ports and maritime sector which accounts for more than a third of turnover.

“We are seeing increasing demand from ports to create a plan for greater sustainability, especially with huge funding opportunities on the horizon,” said founder, Dr Will Beer.

“In the United States, ports can benefit from $3billion funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Clean Ports Program’ while the EU, UK and APAC also have an increasing focus on cutting maritime emissions.

“Funding windows are often short, so it is essential to have a plan in place. We are getting an increasing number of calls asking us to come and assess current outputs and help create that plan.”

One such example is Tunley’s biggest ever single deal to produce a net-zero carbon emissions strategy by 2040 for Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority in Michigan.

Dr Beer said huge work was undertaken on the project in 2023 with Tunley working with multiple businesses at the port to produce a baseline emissions inventory. An initial challenge, Beer reveals, was in ‘getting everyone together and forming collaborative relationships to build trust’.

A plan could then be implemented, looking at emissions from different aspects of port operations, including shipping, goods handling and trucking, then creating a timeline of targets for each.

“Detroit Wayne County has been a fascinating and challenging example of our work and is indicative of our ability to take on complex projects,” Beer said.

Construction is also a buoyant market for Tunley, accounting for around 20% of turnover. Artificial intelligence is also set to play a key role in the future operations of the business, said Beer, streamlining activity.