Port of Tyne advances Green North Sea Corridor plans

The Port of Tyne has hosted key UK and European stakeholders to share

progress on the Green North Sea Shipping Corridor, a major initiative to

decarbonise maritime transport between the UK and the Netherlands.

Backed by UK Government and Dutch funding, the project supports the

transition to methanol-powered DFDS ferries, explores infrastructure upgrades at

both ports, and promotes international collaboration to create a scalable model

for zero-emission shipping corridors.

The Port of Tyne brought together key UK and European stakeholders to share

progress on the Green North Sea Shipping Corridor Project.

The flagship initiative is working to decarbonise maritime transport,

accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly fuels in the sector and

secure green jobs of the future.

At a recent event at the National 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub,

representatives from the project’s partner organisations, including the

Netherland’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Department for

Transport and Innovate UK, came together to review the results of initial

feasibility studies and technical assessments which are helping shape the future

of one of the world’s first green shipping corridors.

The project, launched in November 2024, is part of a £9 million ($12

million) investment, with the UK Government contributing £1.5 million ($2.01

million) and the remainder match-funded by the sector.

The corridor will connect the Port of Tyne with the Port of IJmuiden in the

Netherlands and support DFDS in the transition to methanol-fuelled RoPax

vessels, due to enter service between 2029 and 2030.

The technical work for the project was led by Ricardo, a global

environmental and technical consultancy.

Attendees heard from Rolph Spaas, Partner at Darel Consultancy, who

presented results regarding the conclusion of feasibility studies carried out on

behalf of the Port of IJmuiden.

The results confirmed that, with targeted structural and operational

adjustments, the Port of IJmuiden can be made ready to accommodate DFDS’s new

vessels.

Matthew Moss, Principal Consultant at Ricardo, presented findings from its

technical workstreams, including infrastructure assessment, terminal

electrification, regulatory evaluation, and methanol supply chain

considerations.

The session offered insights into the type and sourcing of the methanol

required, as well as the practical steps needed to ensure compliance and

readiness across both ports.

By exploring landside infrastructure needs, fuel availability, regulatory

frameworks and environmental impacts, the project is laying the groundwork for

wider adoption of green shipping corridors across the UK and Europe.

The event also explored opportunities for international collaboration, with

discussions centred on how lessons learned from this route could support the

UK’s maritime decarbonisation strategy and contribute to the development of a

global network of zero-emission shipping corridors.

Earlier this March, transportation and environmental policy experts from

California state agencies and the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Shanghai

met to discuss creating a Green Shipping Corridor to decarbonise the maritime

industry.