Port of Blyth takes decarbonisation to the next level following £12m funding deals

Port of Blyth is stepping up its journey to net zero on the back of a trio of funding deals totalling £12m.

The Northumberland offshore energy port is installing a host of clean energy measures with the Lloyds Bank funding, starting with the addition of a new electric crane to its fleet, to increase its capacity capabilities and reduce emissions. The Port has invested in a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 Mobile Harbour Crane, which has a 125-tonne lift capacity and eliminates carbon emissions.

Energy from braking and lowering movements by the crane can also be recycled for other crane functions or fed back to the harbour mains. The new crane forms part of the port’s strategy to become as energy efficient as possible, by decarbonising all equipment including forklift trucks and cranes.

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Its low-carbon strategy began in 2019, after initially receiving £7.5m of funding from Lloyds Bank. This was used to construct new terminal infrastructure and additional warehousing while creating numerous employment opportunities. To continue its plans for growth, the port secured a further £2m of funding from Lloyds Bank this year, on top of a £2.4m facility secured from Lloyds Asset Finance, which has enabled the firm to purchase the new electric crane.