In the UK, Plymouth City Council, Millbay Docks and Brittany Ferries have pledged to work together to support the docks to grow and to work towards Net Zero by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Millbay Docks as a key economic driver for Plymouth and work towards the Council’s ambition to become Net Zero by 2030.
The MoU commits all partners to working together to ensure Millbay Docks enjoys a sustained era of clean, green and good growth, with investment to future proof facilities at the docks for years to come. Millbay Docks, owned and operated by ABP, covers 50 acres of port estate and is home to Brittany Ferries services, connecting South West UK to France and Spain. It handles 400,000 passengers and 150,000 vehicles per year, as well as 80,000t of cargo each year, contributing over £95m to the UK economy. It is placed to serve established European trade routes as well as the growing cruise market via its two dedicated berths.
The three parties will work together in the following areas:
- A shared ambition for Millbay Docks to be Net Zero by 2030 supporting new green jobs and investment
- Maximise the impact of planned capital projects, including quayside passenger access and freight improvements
- Identify grant funding opportunities for investment in shore power, assisting in reducing GHG emissions from vessels
- Develop the freight opportunity for Millbay utilising the Freeport
- Increase inbound tourism and cruise.
Council leader Tudor Evans said: “Port cities such as Plymouth have the advantage when it comes to working towards net zero. Transporting goods by ship is one of the cleanest ways of getting products from A to B. We’re… particularly excited about the prospect of green jobs and marine innovation. We need to do more and we can do more to keep Plymouth ahead of the competition.”
ABP CEO Henrik Pedersen said: “This year has seen the launch of our wide-ranging new sustainability strategy, ‘Ready for Tomorrow’, which outlines our plan to invest £2bn in decarbonising our own port operations by 2040, and in major infrastructure projects to enable the wider UK energy transition. If we are going to make Net Zero a reality, it is essential there is a partnership approach, which is why we are delighted to be working with Plymouth City Council and Brittany Ferries to support greener growth for Millbay Docks and Plymouth more broadly.”
Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries, added: “We are delighted to support this strong message of collaboration and intent with the city and Plymouth Port. We have proudly operated from Plymouth since the company’s inception in 1973. Fifty years on we are looking forward to a shared future built on economic growth, more cross-border trade and sustainable operations at sea and while in port.”
