Fleete opens UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at Port of Tilbury

Thursday 26th February 2026

Marking a major milestone in the electrification of the country’s freight and logistics sector, Fleete has officially opened the UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at the Port of Tilbury.

The 5MW facility features 16 ultra-rapid chargers enabling up to 16 electric HGVs to charge simultaneously. This site is the first of a network of shared commercial vehicle charging hubs, designed to accelerate fleet electrification across the UK by providing high-powered charging at strategic logistics locations without the need for costly, time-consuming depot upgrades.

Delivering high-capacity charging at scale

Fleete’s new hub, delivered in partnership with the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport, is supported by £1 million from the UK government’s Thames Freeport Seed Capital Programme, with further funding provided by the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, funded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK.

The investment marks an important step in the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, supporting cleaner air for local communities, enabling businesses to capitalise on new opportunities in sustainable transport and contributing to economic growth and job creation.

Strategically located at one of the UK’s busiest multimodal freight hubs, Fleete’s facility serves the growing number of zero emission HGVs operating in and through the Port of Tilbury and along the A13 corridor into London. It also supports national infrastructure programmes including the Lower Thames Crossing, where major contractors are switching to electric vehicles to reduce emissions on one of the country’s largest infrastructure construction projects.

The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Fleete, project partners and fleet customers, with the hub formally opened by Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.

“Today is an important moment for Thurrock and for the wider move towards cleaner freight. The opening of Fleete’s electric HGV charging hub here at the Port of Tilbury, the largest dedicated hub of its kind in the UK, highlights what can be achieved through strong partnership between industry, government and Thames Freeport. This investment supports cleaner transport, improves air quality for our communities, and reinforces Thurrock’s role in adopting practical, forward looking low carbon solutions,” said Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.

State-of-the-art eHGV charging

Fleete’s shared-user model provides fleet operators with access to reliable, high-quality charging without the need for dedicated facilities, addressing common barriers to electrification including grid capacity, land constraints and upfront infrastructure cost.

The new 5 megawatt (MW) site includes:

  • Siemens has delivered 6 x Flex 540kW chargers plus 12 x Flex 500A dispensers. There are 3 charging islands, each can be upgraded to MCS with 2 x 540 kW and 4 dispensers on each bay.  And
  • 4 x charging points powered by Power Electronics, featuring two NB Cooled Dispensers and one NB Station system, delivering up to 270 kW per charging point, with upgrade capacity to 360 kW. The equipment is deployed as part of the eFREIGHT 2030 project.[1]

The hub was delivered with design and construction support from industry partners including Envevo, bringing high-voltage charging infrastructure into operation within a live port environment. The site has been designed to accommodate additional fleet operators as demand grows.

Speaking at the opening event, Chris Morrison, CEO at Fleete, said: “Today marks a major milestone for Fleete and for the wider logistics sector. From announcing the project last year, to now opening the site, our focus has been on proving that shared, high-capacity charging infrastructure can remove one of the biggest barriers to fleet electrification.

“The Port of Tilbury hub shows what’s possible when industry and government work together to deliver infrastructure at scale. By supporting customers and collaborating with partners across the supply chain, we’re helping accelerate the transition to zero-emission commercial transport where it’s needed most.”

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “This is a significant milestone in our drive to decarbonise road freight, helped by £1million Government investment at the Port of Tilbury site to install EV chargers for HGVs.

“Road freight is the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and businesses growing. By supporting the sector to go electric, we’re cutting emissions and backing the industry to thrive long into the future.”

Strengthening partnerships at Port of Tilbury

The new hub forms part of a wider effort to support cleaner freight movement and future-proof one of the UK’s most important logistics gateways.

David Webster, Regional Director – Tilbury and Thames Freeport board member, said: “The opening of Fleete’s EV charging hub is a significant step forward for the Port of Tilbury as we work to support the decarbonisation of freight and logistics at one of the UK’s busiest ports.

“With thousands of HGV movements through the port every day, access to high-capacity, reliable charging infrastructure is critical. This shared facility will play an important role in helping our customers reduce emissions while maintaining efficient operations.”

Stuart Rimmer, CEO (Interim), Thames Freeport added: “This is exactly the kind of project Thames Freeport was established to support. By using targeted seed capital funding to unlock private investment, we are helping to deliver infrastructure that strengthens the Port of Tilbury and supports its long-term competitiveness.

For Thurrock and the wider Thames Freeport region, this means cleaner freight operations, modern infrastructure and continued confidence that the area is well placed to attract further investment in sustainable logistics.”

Logistics UK Chief Executive Ben Fletcher said: “Public charging infrastructure on this scale, and in such a key strategic location, is precisely what is needed to encourage more operators to use electric vehicles.

“The charging hub is vast, and with 16 ultra rapid chargers it will help operators make the switch to electric fleets – especially smaller operators who can struggle to install chargers at their depots.”

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Tilbury3 planning approval unlocks next growth phase at Port of Tilbury

Wednesday 25th February 2026

The Port of Tilbury announces today (25 February), the approval of an expansion plan for the development of Tilbury3 (T3) into a flexible, rail-connected port capable of accommodating a wide range of industrial and logistics activities. The site totals 143 acres for port operational use and ecological mitigation.

The outline planning consent from Thurrock Council for Tilbury3 is for general industrial storage, container operations, warehousing, processing and vehicle storage, alongside the handling of construction materials and aggregates, reinforcing Tilbury’s role as a well-connected, high-capacity, multi-modal hub. The site will benefit from direct strategic rail and road connections, including, in the years ahead, a connection onto the Lower Thames Crossing.

As part of the Thames Freeport, Tilbury3 will benefit from tax-site incentives designed to attract new investment and support the long-term growth of trade across the region. These advantages complement the wider Port’s existing strengths in bulk materials, Ro-Ro, automotive and containerised cargo, while expanding capacity to meet customer growth requirements.

The Tilbury3 development plans will maintain and build on the Port’s commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. Building on the strong environmental stewardship demonstrated through major projects, including Tilbury2 and the London Distribution Park, the Port will continue to enhance local habitats and supporting biodiversity. The T3 plan has clear environmental benefits with a continued focus on respecting the natural environment.

Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, said: “This approval marks an important milestone in our long-term investment strategy for the Port of Tilbury, recognising its strategic location serving London and the Southeast. The Tilbury3 development is located adjacent to the Lower Thames Crossing northern tunnel junction, with Tilbury becoming one of the best road, rail and sea connected ports in the UK.

“Tilbury3 unlocks the next phase of sustainable growth across our operations, enabling us to expand capacity, meet the needs of our customers and create new market opportunities. The development will support existing jobs, create new employment and deliver long‐term economic value, while our habitat creation plans will ensure we continue to protect and enhance the area’s natural environment.”

David Webster, Regional Director of Port of Tilbury, said: “We welcome Thurrock Council’s decision to approve Tilbury3, which represents a significant step in supporting our customers’ growth ambitions and strengthening Tilbury’s role as one of the UK’s best-connected ports. The additional capacity, flexible land use and Freeport advantages will allow us to respond to growing market demand and deliver scalable, multi-modal solutions for our customers.”

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Liebherr completes crane raise at The Port of Grangemouth

Monday 23rd February 2026

–  Two STS cranes at The Port of Grangemouth have been raised by 2.2 metres to support higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers

–  Liebherr Transform delivered the on-rail crane raise in just six weeks per crane, ensuring minimal disruption to Scotland’s largest container terminal

–  The upgrade extends the service life of the cranes, providing a sustainable, futureproof and cost-effective solution

Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. is proud to announce the successful completion of a major crane raise project at Forth Ports Grangemouth. Two ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes have had their lift height increased by 2.2 metres, unlocking enhanced operational capabilities for Scotland’s largest container port.

Killarney (Ireland), February 2026 – The Port of Grangemouth is Scotland’s largest container terminal and operates three Liebherr ship-to-shore gantry cranes: one crane delivered in 2018, and two cranes delivered in 2006. The first two cranes have now undergone a Liebherr Transform crane raise, extending their operational lifespan and futureproofing the port’s container handling capabilities. All three cranes were originally designed with state-of-the-art features, ensuring safe and reliable container handling at the port for nearly two decades.

Taller cranes for taller straddle carriers

Handling over 250,000 TEU annually, the busy port faces the challenge of adapting to increasing container volumes and evolving equipment requirements. Recent operational changes, including higher container stacks and the introduction of larger, next-generation straddle carriers, necessitated increased clearance beneath the STS cranes to maintain safe and efficient operations.

Liebherr Transform delivered a crane raise upgrade, increasing the lift height of the two STS cranes by 2.2 metres. Crucially, both cranes remained on the rail throughout the project, minimising disruption to terminal operations. Each crane was successfully raised in just six weeks, demonstrating Liebherr’s ability to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions that enhance container handling performance without compromising productivity.

Speaking about the project, Craig Torrance, Asset Manager at The Port of Grangemouth, commented: “Our crane upgrade is a significant step forward as we ensure that we future proof our container operations for our customers. The ability to handle higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers at the terminal ensures we remain competitive and efficient in a fast-changing market. Our partnership with Liebherr is a success and we are grateful to the team who delivered the project with minimal disruption, which was critical for our operations.”

Sustainable upgrade for increased performance

Liebherr Transform’s crane raise has not only increased the cranes’ height but also extended their service life, enabling the cranes to meet the requirements of modern container handling, now and into the future. Oran Kane, Global Manager – Upgrades at Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. commented: “This project highlights the value of Liebherr Transform. Rather than replacing the existing cranes, we helped to unlock new capabilities and extend the crane service life. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable solution that delivers long-term value for Forth Ports Grangemouth.” This approach reflects Liebherr’s commitment to engineering sustainable solutions that maximise return on investment, reduce environmental impact, and minimise expenditure.

The entire crane raise project was captured on camera. Visit the Liebherr Maritime Cranes YouTube channel to watch the full video. YouTube

Liebherr Transform is the upgrade and modification service from Liebherr. Ports and terminals are under relentless pressure to reduce costs and boost performance through increased productivity, faster turnarounds, and reduction in equipment downtime. Unleash the full potential of your container cranes with a manageable financial investment. Liebherr Transform uses the best available technologies to make your crane stronger, faster, smarter, greener and ultimately…better!

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Forth ports apprentices recognised at annual awards with 26 new emerging talent roles offered for 2026

Monday 16th February 2026

Apprentice of the Year Awards

Forth Ports hosted its annual awards celebration to recognise the achievements of their talented apprentices across the business. The joint event, which was held simultaneously in Grangemouth and in Tilbury, acknowledged the value the current apprentices contribute and celebrated their achievements.

Forth Ports has also launched its emerging talent campaign with 26 exciting opportunities available across their UK ports offering 22 apprenticeships and four graduate roles across the business.

The annual awards recognised 14 apprentices from across the group who successfully completed their apprenticeships and who have now transitioned into permanent positions, adding to Forth Ports’ 95% apprentice retention record. In addition, two individual apprentices received the prestigious Apprentice of the Year award.

In Scotland, Declan Swan, 19, was named Apprentice of the Year. Declan, a former student at Lornshill Academy in Tullibody, joined Forth Ports in 2025 as an Apprentice Customer Service Administrator in Grangemouth and is currently working to achieve his Modern Apprenticeship in Freight Logistics. Declan was awarded the Apprentice of the Year award as he has integrated extremely well with his team and is an excellent addition to the business.  Declan is not afraid to take on additional tasks to support the team and is keen to assist the Learning and Development team at events and visits.

In Tilbury, Billy Earey, 20, was awarded Apprentice of the Year. Billy is a first-year apprentice working at the port’s busy London Container Terminal which handles cargo from around the world. Billy received the accolade as a result of his strong commitment, enthusiasm and ownership of his learning while, at the same time, positively influencing those around him.

Shaun Wood, Operations Director, Port of Tilbury said: “Emerging talent roles are a crucial part of our current and future business. Many congratulations to Billy, he has shown great progress and commitment which positions him strongly for continued growth and long-term success with our business. I also want to congratulate all of this year’s apprentices who have successfully completed their Apprenticeship Qualification, and we wish them all well in their career journey.”

Derek Knox, Regional Director, Scotland said: “Our apprenticeship and graduate programmes at Forth Ports really do equip people with the skills necessary for career success and also for personal development which contributes not only to the success of our business and the wider communities we serve. My congratulations to all of the successful apprentices this year and of course to Declan Swan on his Apprentice of the Year achievement, this is well deserved and we will watch his career with interest.”

Forth Ports launches its emerging talent role search with 26 roles available across their UK ports marking the businesses’ largest intake of Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) as part of the drive to build its future workforce and upskill the current team.

22 apprenticeship roles are being offered across a variety of business areas including Warehouse Operations, IT, Facilities Management, Engineering, Marine, and Admin. The four new graduates across Business Intelligence, Hydrographic Surveying, Operations and Infrastructure Engineering. [Note: link to careers page here: https://www.forthports.co.uk/careers/]

Natalie Dalgleish, Head of Learning & Development at Forth Ports said: “The Learning and Development team see first hand the real impact that apprenticeships deliver by unlocking potential, developing lifelong skills, and creating opportunities for growth. Of course, at Forth Ports, apprenticeships are not exclusively for young people at the start of their careers, they can be valuable for people at any stage of their careers as they look to upskill, reskill, and explore new opportunities.”

Forth Ports commitment to nurturing emerging talent was cemented in 2025 when the business was awarded a Gold accreditation of the 5% club*, which highlights their strong focus on employees at the start of their careers as well as continuous learning and professional growth throughout the business.

Closing date for applying is 6 March 2026 For more about careers at Forth Ports and the current vacancies, go to: https://www.forthports.co.uk/careers/

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Forth Green Freeport unlocks £25 million to deliver £7.9Bn of economic regeneration

Thursday 15th January 2026

The Forth Green Freeport (FGF) has today (15 January 2026) marked a joint agreement which unlocks £25 million of seed funding from the UK Government to support reindustrialisation of the Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk areas and attract £7.9 billion of private and public investment over the next decade.

At the Port of Leith, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Kirsty McNeill and Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes joined the Forth Green Freeport Chair, Dame Susan Rice DBE, and CEO, Sarah Murray, and representatives from the three local authorities – Cllr Altany Craik, Fife Council; Cllr Allan Nimmo, Falkirk Council; and Cllr Jane Meagher, City of Edinburgh Council – to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK and Scottish Governments, which releases £25 million of seed capital funding. This seed capital will be match funded by project leads bringing an initial investment in the area to more than £50million.

The seed capital funding will help prepare the key sites within the FGF area to attract investors and deliver major economic benefits for Scotland. It will mean delivery can begin on projects*, which have been identified to attract major inward investment in the key target sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, FGF will support the re-industrialisation and large-scale economic regeneration of Central Scotland over the next decade.

FGF became operational on 12 June 2024 and over the next 25 years is set to attract new businesses and new jobs into Burntisland, Grangemouth, Leith and Rosyth, aided by a suite of tax and custom incentives to deliver real benefits for Scotland and the UK.

A detailed economic impact assessment has projected that FGF will generate £7.9 billion of private and public investment and boost GVA (gross value added) by £8.1 billion. The analysis projected that up to 34,500 well paid, skilled jobs, could be created with around 16,000 of these being direct employment in the FGF’s target sectors and tax sites.

Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of FGF said: “This is a momentous day for the entire Forth Green Freeport team as we mark the MoU agreement and release the £25 million of seed capital from the UK Government to help attract significant inward investment. We are grateful to both Ministers, our Local Authority partners and FGF consortium members for being here today and we look forward to delivering this important project for Scotland.”

UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “This is a pivotal moment in the UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth right across Scotland. The Forth Green Freeport will transform the economy of Central Scotland, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future. Supported by £25 million of UK Government investment, and a range of UK Government tax incentives, this important collaboration between governments and local partners will deliver tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and attract billions in investment.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This milestone is the culmination of years of partnership working to transform the region, including the Grangemouth industrial cluster, by attracting billions of further public and private investment. Forth Green Freeport will bring well-paid jobs, regeneration and make significant steps towards achieving Scotland’s net zero ambitions.

“The Scottish Government is committed to driving investment and innovation to support fair, green economic growth which will put more money into people’s pockets and help the places they live to prosper.

“That’s why we are supporting offshore wind with £500 million investment over five years to grow the supply chain and we have launched our new online portal InvestScotland which showcases large-scale investment opportunities, including in renewable energy.”

Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: “This is what real partnership looks like. Working with the Scottish Government, we’re investing £25 million to create thousands of skilled green jobs across Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife – giving the Central Belt a real stake in the country’s clean energy future.”

The event took place at the Port of Leith which has been transformed through major private investment by owners and FGF Consortium partner, Forth Ports, into a world class renewables hub which is currently hosting the Inch Cape Offshore Wind project marshalling the foundation component parts of the 72-turbine wind farm being constructed off the Angus coast.

To deliver the ambitious vision of FGF, a strong team is in place with a focus on attracting investment across the FGF while ensuring strong governance and adherence to the FGF’s Fair Work and Net Zero charters.

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Forth Green Freeport secures full business case approval

Wednesday 26th November 2025

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today (26 November 2025) confirmed that
the Forth Green Freeport (FGF) has received final UK Government approval of their Full Business Case (FBC) following approval from Scottish Government in October.

Approval of the FBC is an important step towards unlocking £25 million of seed capital funding to support the reindustrialisation of the FGF area to attract investors and deliver major economic benefits for Scotland. Following today’s approval of the FBC, the Forth Green Freeport Chair, Dame Susan Rice DBE, the three local authorities (Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk) and both governments will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to allow the release of the multimillion-pound seed capital money.

The projects which have been identified for development to attract inward investment, will then begin. Focusing on the key target sectors of offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, FGF will support the re- industrialisation of Central Scotland and large-scale economic regeneration over the next decade.

Commenting on the FBC approval, Sarah Murray, CEO of FGF said: “This is an important day for Forth Green Freeport as we successfully gain final government approval of our Full Business Case (FBC). The next step to fully activate the Forth Green Freeport is the signing a Memorandum of Understanding to allow the release of the £25million funding to kick start the initial projects. Importantly, the seed capital will be match funded by project leads. We look forward to signing this soon to begin

delivery of this important long-term initiative benefiting Scotland and the rest of the UK.”

Chaired by Dame Susan Rice DBE and led by CEO, Sarah Murray, FGF became operational on 12 June 2024 and is set to attract new businesses and new jobs aided by a suite of tax and customs incentives to deliver real benefits for Scotland and the UK.

A detailed economic impact assessment has projected that it will generate £7.9 billion of private and public investment over the next decade and boost GVA (gross value added) by £8.1 billion. This investment is projected to create up to 34,500 well paid skilled jobs, with around 16,000 of these being direct employment in the FGF’s target sectors and tax sites. To deliver the ambitious vision of FGF, a strong team of experts have been appointed who will focus on attracting investment across the FGF while ensuring a high level of Governance and adherence to the FGF’s Fair Work and Net Zero charters.

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London Container Terminal welcomes weekly express reefer container service direct from Morocco, as Samskip consolidate its Thames operation

Wednesday 19th November 2025

This week, the London Container Terminal (LCT) in Tilbury welcomed a new dedicated reefer* container service bringing fresh food directly into the UK from Morocco.

The weekly Samskip service commenced this week when the Samskip Toubkal made its first call at LCT with its cargo of fresh produce, including tomatoes and citrus fruit headed for the UK’s supermarkets.

Samskip’s Moroccan Reefer Service is a weekly shortsea container route connecting Agadir and Casablanca directly with Tilbury and also the Netherlands. The service is the only container service on the market fast enough to carry fresh vegetables and offers an 80% CO₂ reduction compared to road transportation.

Commenting on the new service, Ross McKissock, Director of Unitised from Forth Ports, said: “The arrival of Samskip’s Moroccan service consolidates our prime position in the reefer market for time critical produce for the country’s largest consumer market. Our facilities at LCT on the Thames provides a fast, low carbon, reliable and cost-effective alternative to trucking from Europe, showcasing the major benefits of our specialist deep-sea offering.”

London Container Terminal is a busy facility handling 500,000 teu twenty foot equivalent containers) each year and has over 1,400 reefer points.

*reefer is an industry name for a refrigerated cargo container

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Forth Ports Celebrates Prestigious Gold Membership of The 5% Club

Thursday 30th October 2025

EC Group image

Forth Ports is proud to announce that, following an independent review of the commitment that Forth Ports has to learning and development, the group has been awarded Gold accredited membership of The 5% Club. This accolade highlights the company’s strong commitment to early career employees through “earn and learn” initiatives, including apprenticeships, graduate opportunities and sponsored student placements.

The audit, conducted earlier this year, thoroughly assessed the company’s current efforts, future ambitions and commitment to social mobility, diversity and inclusion. Forth Ports takes pride in its ongoing investment to nurture and develop the next generation of talent for the port and logistics industry. Investing in talent is a key part of Forth Ports’ long-term strategy, which also aligns with the broader goals set by both the Scottish and UK Governments.

Currently, Forth Ports has 81 “earn and learn” roles filled within the business with continued growth since the Group was awarded Silver accredited membership of The 5% Club last year.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, commented on the award: “Achieving Gold accredited membership of The 5% Club is a significant milestone for us, as it reflects our substantial investment in early career opportunities across the group. At Forth Ports, we aim to lead in the development of new talent, as well as developing our entire workforce, and we are proud to be recognised for our efforts. We aim to deliver a learning and development environment that allows every employee to be the best they can be in their role.”

Natalie Dalgleish, Head of Learning & Development of Forth Ports, added: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved 5% Club Gold status – a recognition of our passion and commitment to developing people at every stage of their career. From those in early and emerging careers to colleagues continually upskilling, this reflects the energy, collaboration, and belief we have in lifelong learning. It’s a celebration of how our collective efforts are helping to close skills gaps and strengthen the future of our business and the wider ports and logistics sector.”

As a proud member of The 5% Club, we join a movement of more than 1,200 forward-thinking employers who are championing inclusive, accessible and impactful workplace learning. Collectively, members support over 2 million employees, with more than 121,000 engaged in “earn and learn” programmes. The rigorous Employer Audit independently validates our achievements and future ambitions, recognising our commitment to social mobility, diversity and inclusion.

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Inch Cape’s first XXL monopiles land in Port of Leith

Wednesday 15th October 2025

The first shipment of XXL monopile foundations* for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm has arrived in the Port of Leith marking the start of a new phase of offshore construction for the project and a new era for the recently completed Forth Ports’ renewables hub.

The 1.1 gigawatt (GW) Inch Cape will be the first to use the transformed port facility, where the components for all the project’s 72 foundations will be off loaded, marshalled, stored and then loaded out for installation after completion works.

The first eight XXL monopile foundations were transported by a heavy transport vessel which docked at the recently-opened deep water riverside Charles Hammond Berth.

The berth was redeveloped as part of a £150 million investment programme at the 175-acre site, which included £50 million committed on the back of the Inch Cape work, Forth Ports’ largest ever offshore wind contract.

The arrival of the first XXL monopiles, each up to 103 metres long, weighing around 2300 tonnes and with diameters of 11.5 metres, marks the start of an intensive phase of construction for the flagship Scottish project.

John Hill, Project Director of Inch Cape said: “This first monopile delivery into Leith kicks-off a key phase of offshore construction, and we are delighted to be the inaugural project to utilise Forth Ports’ renewables hub. Monopile supplier CWHI has done an outstanding job, fabricating the monopiles on time, within budget and with more than a million hours of safe work.”

The project will comprise 54 XXL monopiles and transition pieces, and 18 three-legged jacket foundations with three pin piles per jacket, all being delivered to Leith prior to installation. As activity ramps up, more than 100 people will work at the site delivering the project, with Forth Projects (part of the Forth Ports Group) as principal contractor.

Derek Knox, Regional Director for Scotland, Forth Ports Limited, said: “The arrival of the first monopiles for Inch Cape is a momentous day for the team in Leith. We have transformed Leith into a world class renewables hub and the Charles Hammond Berth has been created specifically to handle the world’s largest offshore energy vessels.

“It is fantastic to see the berth and laydown land doing what they were built to do. As principal contractor, we have an exciting year ahead of us as our team of experts welcomes the project’s foundation component parts. We have invested in our infrastructure and our marine vessels and created new skilled jobs to deliver this major project. Our sister port in Dundee will also play a key role in 2026 as the turbine pre-assembly and marshalling hub.”

The Charles Hammond Berth features a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre, with 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

The installation of the XXL monopile foundations will start before the end of the year using the Jan De Nul heavy lift vessel Les Alizés and will continue into 2026.

Inch Cape will comprise 72 Vestas 15MW turbines and a single offshore substation that was installed at the North Sea site in early August. First power is expected in late-2026 with full commercial operations in 2027.

Inch Cape is owned in a 50/50 equal joint venture by ESB and Red Rock Renewables, and once complete will generate almost five terawatt hours of energy each year or enough to power half the homes in Scotland.

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Vibrant new development for The Port of Leith receives planning consent

Wednesday 17th September 2025

The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 gets the go ahead

Forth Ports has earlier today (17 September) been awarded Detailed Planning Consent and Listed Building Consent by The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for their exciting development on land within the Port of Leith known as ‘The Dry Dock at Harbour 31’.

The Dry Dock development will regenerate land used for industrial port activities, and will transform the site into a dynamic, mixed-use development that will cater to a diverse range of businesses and sectors. The Dry Dock will also introduce new public spaces, opening previously inaccessible areas of the port to the wider community.

Pamela Smyth, Chief Legal and Property Officer, of landowners Forth Ports Limited, said: “We are thrilled to receive positive consent for The Dry Dock at Harbour 31. Our plans for this area will deliver a vibrant, creative and commercial hub which will be integrated into this historical part of the port. The Port of Leith is going through a major transition as it becomes a leading offshore renewables hub and The Dry Dock will be a positive addition as Leith and the waterfront continues its regeneration.”

The Dry Dock will feature repurposed shipping containers which will provide flexible, inspiring workspaces that respect the site’s industrial heritage while creating a collaborative, professional, and sociable environment. Key existing historical structures on the site, such as the former dry dock pump house, sheds and rail tracks will be preserved and incorporated into the design, helping to maintain the site’s historical character and enhancing its sense of place.

Following a review of the planning consent conditions, construction is expected to begin in 2026 with completed late 2027/early 2028.

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