Electrification to slash liquid bulk volumes

Speaking in a session at the Newcastle event on trade activity and future trends, Stephen Taylor, director of Port Centric Logistics Partners, said that in forecasting work his organisation has undertaken for port traffic, the body has been very clear that “electrification will lead to a reduction in the liquid bulk sector”.

Mr Taylor was speaking in light of a comment during the session from Satish Luhar, study director for a future of freight study from the UK Government’s National Infrastructure Commission, that by 2030, only electric vehicles will be retailed.

An audience member at the session asked what effect this will have on ports, given that the fuel for diesel and petrol is imported: if electric vehicles replace this, the power must be generated somewhere, but it isn’t coming from coal, so how will this all play out for the ports sector?

Responding to the question, Mr Taylor said that looking at liquid bulks and refining capacity in the UK, the country now has five or six oil refineries — previously, there were many more.

Chris Rowland, managing director of MDS Transmodal, noted that although coal will not be being burnt, much more electricity will be required.