Peel Ports Group has committed to becoming a net zero port operator by 2040, ten years ahead of the UK Government’s national decarbonising targets.

The port operator, headquartered in Liverpool, owns some of the UK’s largest ports including the Port of Liverpool, Clydeport and London Medway.

The group has unveiled a number of initiatives and investments to help drive a more sustainable agenda and reach the net zero milestone by 2040 across all of its locations in the UK and Ireland.

By the end of this year, Peel Ports aims to have 50% of its vehicle fleet replaced with electric cars, with the remainder in place by December 2022, and is currently undergoing trials of greener fuels and electric alternatives for the future of its operational machinery and equipment.

Peel Ports has invested over £1.2 billion across the last decade on sustainable infrastructure and technology to future proof its operations including the delivery of energy efficient cranes, LED lighting and choosing sustainable, low emission equipment and suppliers.

Mark Whitworth, CEO of Peel Ports said: “Our ports provide critical infrastructure as the UK’s gateways for food, medical, energy and fuel supplies. 

“It is therefore important that as a responsible business we incite positive change in the UK’s logistics market to tackle climate change.”

The port operator is also promoting the benefits of ports closer to the end destination, in order to reduce emissions, as well as introducing major new rail services for better connectivity, taking tonnes of freight off the road.