Hutchinson sets UK net-zero target

The global ports group, which aims to reach net-zero globally by 2050, operates the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport.

“Hutchison Ports has set both near-term and net-zero targets in line with the science-based targets initiative’s net-zero standard,” commented Clemence Cheng, executive director of Hutchison Ports and managing director of Hutchison Ports Europe.

“Our journey has already begun. We are investing in new and more sustainable equipment and the UK will be amongst the first of our business units to reach the target,” he added.

The Port of Felixstowe has recently commissioned two new 11Kv high voltage substations to serve the charging infrastructure for its conventional electric tractor fleet. Each substation will enable 20 vehicles to be charged at any one time at the port’s Trinity Terminal.

The port will also take delivery of its next batch of 22 electric-tractors in July 2023 with a further 24 vehicles arriving in November 2023, and has introduced its first battery-powered autonomous trucks. In total, it has plans to acquire 150 electric-tractors over the next two years.

“We have made significant progress at the Port of Felixstowe converting our yard cranes to electricity and now have 50 electric cranes with another 17 on order for delivery this year,” continued Cheng.

“All new equipment across our three UK ports will be sustainable and we have a programme to replace our entire vehicle fleet with battery-powered or alternative fuel options by 2033.”

To tackle scope 2 emissions the port signed a new deal in April which ensures that all the electricity it uses is certified as being from a renewable source.