Associated British Ports (ABP) has become the first UK port operator to trial a hydrogen fuelled tractor in its container terminal at the Port of Immingham.
The joint pilot project received funding from ORE Catapult through Innovate UK’s Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII), following funding of initial feasibility from the Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
The Terberg hydrogen terminal tractor has been tested at the UK’s largest port by volume of tonnage, alongside a mobile hydrogen filling station provided by Air Products.
The move comes in a bid to decarbonise port operations and support the larger UK industry with hydrogen adoption.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “This demonstration of using hydrogen in port equipment in Immingham has been able to highlight the challenges and benefits of using this zero-emission energy in our port.
“It shows our customers how forward thinking we are in meeting the need to decarbonise in the port and it’s great we’ve been able to collaborate with all the various partners in its delivery.”
READ: Port of Immingham to open CO2 import terminal
“This project excitingly highlights the increasing technology readiness of vehicles utilising hydrogen fuel in UK port operations, creating a clear demand signal for many HII project partners,” added Lauren Hadnum, ORE Catapult’s Clean Maritime Manager.
“Major learnings from this project will have decarbonisation impacts for port vehicles, vessels and the wider hydrogen supply chain.
“The Humber is well placed to develop this hydrogen value chain; via Offshore Wind energy availability, local demand, and strong system level collaborations such as demonstrated in this project.”
The project has been a collaboration between ABP, Terberg, Air Products, and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
ABP Immingham recently placed an order for three new Liebherr mobile harbour cranes.
The Liebherr 420s arrived from Rostock, Germany in November 2022.
