French multinational Schneider Electric has announced that it is a technical partner in an eight-month consultancy project to design and deliver the UK’s first green maritime corridor between Dover, UK and the ports of Calais and Dunkirk in France.
The green shipping corridor is part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
As a technical partner in the consultancy project, Schneider Electric will assess green energy pathway options for marine and land vessels and vehicles to facilitate the zero-emission movement of goods and people between the ports.
In addition, the digital automation and energy management company will conduct a landside port and fuel analysis and an assessment of ‘cold ironing’ capabilities to provide electrical power to berthed vessels.
“By partnering in this consultancy project, we’re able to advise the Port of Dover on how to strategically invest in the shore power capabilities and infrastructure needed to support a green shipping corridor,” said Peter Selway, segment marketing manager at Schneider Electric.
“The port is a vital link between the UK and Europe, accounting for more than a third of trade and most of the UK’s ferry traffic. Decarbonising this critical shipping channel will reduce maritime greenhouse gas emissions and provide a blueprint for other ports to follow.”
Schneider Electric will also build a “digital twin” – a scalable digital model of the Port of Dover’s electrical infrastructure – that will enable the port’s new shore power systems to be designed and tested virtually before being built and integrated into the port’s existing facilities, ensuring minimal service disruption.
“This represents a huge transition for us as we evaluate our current and future power needs. Working with Schneider Electric, we will be able to determine what type of electrical infrastructure we will need going forward to generate the energy required to power ships and the port itself,” said Megan Turner, environment and sustainability manager at the Port of Dover.
“The consultation will help us open the green maritime corridor and crucially allow us to understand better how to leverage shore power and manage energy supplies effectively. It also aligns with our ambition to become a sustainable port and be carbon net-zero by 2025.”
Schneider Electric has already assisted the Port of Dover with Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition phase 1 to support the technological development necessary to reduce carbon emissions as part of the Port of Dover Air Quality Action Plan.
