ABPs green masterplan for Newport

This latest vision outlines the plan for Newport to build on its classic port business to become a clean-manufacturing and logistics growth cluster.

“This masterplan is a bold step towards a sustainable future. Newport has a history of reinvention, and we are embarking on a journey to position both the port and the city of Newport as key players in the evolution towards a decarbonised economy,” said Ashley Curnow, divisional port manager, ABP

“The masterplan foresees a decade-long investment boom, which will help provide superb service to customers, as well as delivering ABP’s commitment, as set out in our sustainability strategy – Ready for Tomorrow ­­­­– to get our own operations to net zero by 2040.”

Energy transition

ABP’s visionary plans centre around renewable energy, including a focus on harnessing wind and solar sources, linked to hydrogen electrolysis and e-fuels manufacturing plants.

It is hoped that these facilities, along with carbon capture and heat networks, will underpin next-generation manufacturing and logistics, attracting a new cluster of businesses looking to future-proof their operations.

Development at the port will also be connected to the rail network and marine logistics, with the ambition of hundreds of highly productive jobs created at the resulting Newport clean growth hub. This will create benefits right across the city and beyond.

Whilst the plan includes innovations to support businesses to future-proof and meet net zero targets, the classic port role will remain. ABP will also be investing in reconfigured access, new cargo-handling equipment, high-efficiency warehousing and ready-to-go development sites, all with cutting-edge IT.

Newport is the latest of ABP’s five ports in South Wales to have undergone an extensive masterplanning process – previously Barry and Port Talbot – and as part of ABP’s wider vision for its Welsh ports.