Belfast Harbour is set to explore autonomous port technology with a new grant.
- The Department for Transport awards £400,000 for a feasibility study.
- Focus is on optimising fleet operations and reducing emissions.
- The study will support sustainability and improve port efficiency.
- Potential for creating high-skilled jobs and enhancing UK technological leadership.
Belfast Harbour has been awarded a substantial grant from the Department for Transport’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund, totalling nearly £400,000. This funding is earmarked for conducting a five-month feasibility study at Victoria Terminal 3, aimed at integrating autonomous software and hardware to optimise the port’s logistics and fleet operations. The study seeks to assess the scalability and cost-effectiveness of implementing autonomous technologies.
Laura O’Neill, digital transformation manager at Belfast Harbour, highlights the project’s significance as part of a larger commitment to sustainability. She notes that the initiative addresses inefficiencies in traditional transport operations, which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By improving these operations, the study aims not only to enhance port efficiency but also to bolster the port’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials.
The project’s scope includes reducing idle time for transport trucks, increasing container throughput, and exploring potential for creating high-skill jobs. This forward-thinking approach aligns with Belfast Harbour’s goals of building a more sustainable future by partnering with key stakeholders to manage Scope 3 emissions effectively.
According to Sadaf Ghani, chief marketing communication officer at Aidrivers Ltd, the project’s ultimate aim is to develop a regulatory-compliant autonomous transport solution. This solution could be replicated across different regional ports in the UK and beyond, setting new standards for global port operations while showcasing the capabilities of UK companies in this sector.
This development comes at a time when the maritime industry in Northern Ireland faces challenges, notably highlighted by the recent economic difficulties at the Belfast Shipyard. Despite these challenges, the new initiative at Belfast Harbour signifies a step towards rejuvenating the area’s technological and economic prospects.
The Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund, managed by Innovate UK, is part of a broader £206 million programme geared towards advancing decarbonisation technologies within the British maritime sector. Such projects are essential for maintaining the UK’s leadership in maritime innovation and addressing broader environmental concerns.
The Belfast Harbour project is a pivotal step towards sustainable and advanced port operations in the UK and beyond.
