United Kingdom | September 17, 2025 – In a groundbreaking move for the UK maritime industry, NatPower Marine, in collaboration with Peel Ports Group, has announced the installation of the UK’s first-ever shore power infrastructure at Heysham Port, a key step in establishing the UK’s first green shipping corridor between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This move is set to significantly reduce emissions in the Irish Sea, with over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 expected to be cut annually once the full system is operational by 2026.
The £10 million investment, in collaboration with Peel Ports Group, will see the installation of shore power plugs at Heysham Port starting in September 2025, with the full expansion to four shore power plugs across all berths by 2026. This project is part of a broader £100 million initiative to electrify shipping routes and ports throughout the UK.
Reducing Emissions and Improving Air Quality
The new infrastructure will provide electric propulsion for ferry services at Heysham, enabling vessels to operate with zero emissions while at berth and at sea. In addition to CO2 reductions, the electrification project will lead to significant cuts in other harmful pollutants, including NOx and SOx.
The shift to electric shipping corridors supports the UK’s commitment to net-zero emissions and is a major step in the decarbonisation of one of the busiest maritime routes in the country. Once the infrastructure is fully operational, it is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 166,800 tonnes annually across all Peel Ports locations, significantly improving air quality and public health.
Martin Olverson, Development Director Marine at NatPower Marine, highlighted the impact of the initiative “Heysham is where the UK’s first green shipping corridor becomes real. One plug will soon become four, serving every Heysham route to Ireland and giving operators the confidence to move quickly on vessel electrification. We are building the backbone of a clean shipping network so ferry and freight lines can invest in the next generation of zero-emission ships.”
A Major Investment for the UK’s Maritime Future
The £10 million project is part of the wider collaboration between NatPower Marine and Peel Ports Group, which is aiming to transform UK ports into leaders in sustainable shipping practices. With support from Peel Ports Group, Heysham Port will become the first UK port to feature shore power for all ferry and freight services.
As part of the broader £100 million partnership, the project will also help accelerate Peel Ports Group’s long-term goals of making Heysham Port the UK’s first net-zero port. The port is already ahead of the curve in reducing landside emissions, and this electrification initiative will further cement its leadership in sustainability.
Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director at Peel Ports Group, noted “Shipping is already the greenest form of transport but there’s still a huge role for ports to play in decarbonising the supply chain. We can only do that with collaboration, innovation and long-term commitment from everyone involved, which this project embodies. However, this goes far beyond environmental goals. Ports are the lifeblood of UK plc and so many of our national economic and social ambitions rely on a thriving maritime sector.”
A Global Commitment to Decarbonising the Maritime Industry
Globally, the maritime industry accounts for 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing emissions from the sector has become a critical global challenge. NatPower Marine is addressing this by developing a global network of 120 e-ship charging stations by 2030, starting with Heysham and extending to other major ports worldwide.
In addition to the shore power infrastructure, NatPower is building 12.5 GW of renewable energy capacity in the UK, with an additional 100 GWh of battery storage, ensuring the clean energy required for ports and vessels is reliable and sustainable.
As NatPower Marine continues its global expansion, the company is committed to providing clean energy solutions that will enable the maritime sector to meet increasingly stringent decarbonisation regulations while maintaining operational efficiency.
About Peel Ports Group
Peel Ports Group is the UK’s second-largest port operator, handling around 70 million tonnes of cargo annually through key ports such as Liverpool, Heysham, and Manchester Ship Canal. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact and supporting the UK’s net-zero targets by electrifying its operations and working towards the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
About NatPower Marine
NatPower Marine, a subsidiary of the NatPower Group, is leading the transformation of the global maritime sector through the development of e-ship charging infrastructure. The company’s focus is on providing the essential infrastructure for ship electrification, offering shore power for electric propulsion and cold ironing at ports, at anchor, and offshore.
The NatPower Group is a major player in the global energy transition with projects in natural power, renewable energy, and battery storage across multiple markets, including the UK, USA, Italy, and Kazakhstan. NatPower Marine’s mission is to decarbonise supply chains by enabling zero-emission maritime operations through cutting-edge energy infrastructure.
Source NatPower Marine