NatPower Marine – London, 26 August 2025 – A new era for the maritime sector is dawning. The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has released its UK Port Freight Traffic Forecasts (2024–2050), projecting a seismic shift in the nation’s cargo landscape. The report paints a clear picture: fossil fuel traffic through UK ports is entering terminal decline, while containerised, Ro-Ro and ferry traffic are set to surge—laying the groundwork for an electrified maritime future.
Massive port electrification plan launched as UK Department for Transport forecasts show dramatic fossil fuel decline and surge in clean-ready shipping segments.
As the shipping industry accelerates toward sustainability, NatPower Marine is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. The company has announced plans to invest over £10 billion globally in shorepower and port electrification infrastructure, with £250 million already committed by 2030 to create a network of 120 clean ports worldwide.
In the UK and Ireland, NatPower Marine is launching the country’s first green shipping corridors, in partnership with Peel Ports Group. An initial £100 million investment will electrify eight major ports, allowing ferries, Ro-Ro vessels, and other frequently used shipping lines to plug into clean power at berth and en route—drastically reducing carbon and air pollution emissions.
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DfT Forecasts: Oil in Decline, Electrification in Demand
The DfT’s long-range forecasts reveal a modest overall increase in total port volumes—from 420.6 million tonnes in 2023 to 453.5 million tonnes by 2050 (+7.8%). However, the nature of that cargo is being radically redefined:
- Unitised freight (ferries, Ro-Ro, containers): up 56.7%, becoming the dominant form of port traffic, expected to represent over 52.5% of UK port throughput by 2050 (up from 34%).
- Dry bulk: surging by 61.7%, reflecting industrial demand.
- Liquid bulk (oil and oil products): collapsing by 63.3%, falling from 169.3 million tonnes to just 62.1 million tonnes.
This shift reflects the decline in UK crude oil refining capacity—just six operational refineries remain, down from 18 in the 1970s—as the nation’s energy and transport sectors pivot rapidly toward decarbonisation.
“The Government’s forecasts confirm the reality: the age of oil is ending, and the future of UK ports lies in electrified trade,” said Stefano D. M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine UK. “The segments highlighted for growth, including ferries, Ro-Ro and container shipping, are also the ones best suited to clean shore power and e-charging. Without urgent investment, the UK risks gridlock at the very moment maritime trade is accelerating.”
NatPower Marine’s Vision: The Grid is the New Bunker
NatPower Marine’s strategy treats electricity as a fuel—time-sensitive, high-capacity, and essential for port and vessel operations. The company is building an intelligent, integrated ecosystem for clean energy delivery, combining:
- Shorepower for cold ironing (powering ships at berth).
- Propulsion charging for electric or hybrid vessels.
- Battery energy storage systems to manage load surges and grid capacity.
- Smart grid technology to balance demand, pricing, and renewable generation.
In the UK alone, NatPower Marine is scaling up grid applications totalling 12.5 GW and developing 100 GWh of battery storage capacity to meet projected maritime electrification demand.
Globally, the company is building a route-based charging network that enables seamless vessel recharging across international trade routes—ensuring ships can connect to clean electricity infrastructure wherever they sail.
Impact: Emissions Down, Air Quality Up, Compliance Secured
NatPower Marine’s model addresses the full spectrum of maritime emissions—especially Scope 3 emissions, which represent the indirect, operational emissions from vessels while in port. With shore power, vessels can cut:
- CO₂, NOx, and SOx emissions by up to 95% during port stays.
- Urban air pollution by up to 35% in cities hosting major ports.
These benefits support shipowners and port authorities in meeting IMO 2030 goals and the UK’s Net Zero 2050 targets, while improving public health in heavily populated coastal areas.
A Generational Infrastructure Shift
“This is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure transition,” said Sommadossi. “The Government’s forecasts show the future. Our job is to build the network that makes it possible.”
NatPower Marine’s approach complements the broader goals of the UK’s clean growth strategy, addressing infrastructure gaps and enabling a scalable, zero-emission maritime economy.
About NatPower Marine
NatPower Marine, a division of the NatPower Group, is developing the world’s largest independent network of ship charging facilities, providing clean electricity for propulsion and cold ironing through its Smart Energy Transition-as-a-Service platform. The company delivers end-to-end infrastructure for the decarbonisation of global supply chains—powering vessels at berth, at anchor, and offshore.
About NatPower Group
NatPower Group is a global energy transition developer with a portfolio of approximately 30 GW of clean power projects across the UK, USA, Italy, and Kazakhstan. The group is advancing large-scale renewable generation, green hydrogen, and maritime electrification infrastructure to enable a zero-carbon future.
NatPower H, a subsidiary of the group, is pioneering the world’s first green hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure for the pleasure yachting industry.
About NatPower UK
NatPower UK is a sister company to NatPower Marine and one of the UK’s largest clean energy developers. It is set to bring over 60 GWh of battery storage online by 2040, delivering a smart, resilient clean energy ecosystem that aligns generation with large-scale, intermittent demand—such as port electrification.
Source NatPower Group