First published in The Herald Agenda column, Saturday 11 November 2023

Everyone has an opinion on cruise holidays it seems. They’re a real Marmite choice. For some, cruise is an anathema – something to be avoided at all costs. For others, once they get the bug, they’re hooked and no sooner have they finished one cruise than they’re booking their next one – a staggering 91% repeat. Meanwhile, cruise is now attracting younger holidaymakers, with the average age of a cruiser now 46.5 years.

So, one thing is certain – cruise is here to stay. Not even the Covid pandemic – which brought the industry to a global standstill – could change that long-term. In fact, Scotland saw 886 cruise calls in 2023 compared to 616 in 2019, bringing over 1 million passengers to our shores. A further increase in numbers is expected in 2024 as the appetite to experience Scotland’s heritage and natural beauty continues.

Six in 10 cruise passengers say they’ve returned to the destination later for a land-based holiday; every cruise passenger generates around £134 of socio-economic benefit for the local area – that’s £100,000 per cruise ship call; and every 24 cruise passengers support one full time job.

Cruise calls also enable curious visitors to experience the remoter parts of Scotland, not accessible for the 3 day week-end break travellers to our airport-served cities.

Of course, there’s the ongoing debate about who benefits from the economic boost that cruise ship visits represent, but it’s clear that the economic impact is positive, helping to sustain local businesses around Scotland’s cruise ports – trade notably lost during the pandemic.

Understandably, a light is being shone on the environmental impact of the industry. Cruise ships comprise less than 1% of the global maritime community, yet the industry can be considered at the forefront of the development of innovative technologies and practices to reduce emissions both at berth and at sea.  Sustainability is not a new priority – let’s not forget the cruise industry was the first maritime sector to publicly commit, in 2018, to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008. The industry is also accelerating the use of cleaner ships with cruise lines investing in 44 new and technologically advanced ships over the next five years, representing an investment of $62 billion since 2019.

Disappointingly, there’s been an announcement about extending the local visitor levy – a tourism tax – to include cruise vessels, effectively taxing the thousands of cruise passengers who arrive at Scottish ports. The risk is that cruise ships will simply avoid Scotland, which has been the case across other European destinations where cruise lines have removed the ports from their itineraries – with all economic benefit lost. The industry is therefore requesting urgent discussions with the Scottish Government on these proposals.

Scotland has a worldwide reputation for the warmth of its welcome. Cruise passengers, have actively chosen to spend their tourist pound – or dollar or yen – in Scotland and the majority of whom are likely to come back for a longer trip next time. Let’s greet them with open arms.

Rob Mason, Head of Cruise, Forth Ports and Chair of Cruise Scotland

Carr’s Flour Mills and Forth Ports, have reached a significant milestone as over one million tonnes of wheat – enough to bake around 2.5 billion loaves of bread – have been delivered by ship into the busy harbour since 2011.

This landmark achievement was reached earlier this month with the arrival of the latest wheat delivery on board the Shetland Trader cargo ship.

Moving wheat by 506 ship journeys into the Fife port in the last 12 years has removed around 70,000 truck journeys in and out of the Kirkcaldy mill, which is a substantial environmental benefit due to the reduction in road traffic and also a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

The wheat shipped in by water is enough to bake over 2.5 billion loaves of bread which, laid end to end, would be enough to reach to the moon and back, or around the world more than 15 times! 2.5 billion loaves is enough bread to make around 32.5 billion sandwiches.

The high-quality UK grown wheat is delivered into Kirkcaldy Harbour, which is owned and operated by Forth Ports, from Dover in Kent, and discharged directly into Carr’s Flour Mills’ state of the art mill.

The harbour was re-opened to commercial traffic in 2011, with the help of a Freight Facilities Grant from Transport Scotland. The port is owned and operated by Forth Ports, with all the shipping organised by Carr’s Flour Mills, to bring high quality milling wheat from the UK and Europe direct into the Kirkcaldy Mill. There has been a considerable programme of investment in the facility, with Carr’s Flour building new silo storage and infrastructure and Forth Ports providing discharge equipment, fendering and dredging at the harbour.

Andy Lamb, Deputy Port Manager at Kirkcaldy Harbour, said: “This is an important milestone for Carr’s and the Harbour as it demonstrates the success of a quayside milling facility with direct access to regular shipping activity. Coastal shipping delivers a greener transport alternative with shipments being over 10 times more carbon efficient than road deliveries, aligning with our commitment to achieving net zero by 2042. We have exciting plans in place for Kirkcaldy Harbour to ensure that it can handle even larger cargo vessels to further increase efficiency.”

Carr’s Flour Mills Ltd Wheat & Supply Chain Specialist, Julius Deane, added:

“It is a great pleasure to see that we have reached this milestone, especially with the challenges of Covid lockdowns. Having direct access to vessels bringing wheat into our mill really helps us efficiently supply consistent high-quality flour to our many customers, as well as reducing our carbon footprint. We are pleased to have a strong working relationship with Forth Ports, Forth Pilots, Leith & Granton Boatmen, W Knight Watson and Cargo Mariners to make this operate smoothly, and we are looking forward to soon being able to bring larger vessels into the Kirkcaldy harbour.”

13 November 2023                          – ends –

Dame Susan Rice DBE has been appointed as the inaugural independent Chair of Forth Green Freeport to oversee the delivery and governance of the consortium’s ambitious vision to deliver a green growth strategy for Scotland’s industrial corridor.

Dame Susan is a highly respected chartered banker who has had a distinguished career in finance as the former Chair and CEO of Lloyds TSB Scotland, where she was the first female in Europe to lead a clearing bank, and Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group Scotland. She was also the founding Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and is the former President of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (now named Prosper).

Dame Susan has extensive experience in corporate governance as a member of boards across a wide range of public and private sector organisations around the UK and internationally. Dame Susan is currently the Chair of Scottish Water where she has governed the Board since 2015 and will step down at the end of this year on completion of her term. Her other recent Board experience includes the Bank of England, Scottish and Southern Energy and J Sainsbury plc.

Dame Susan currently sits on the Board of the Office for Budget Responsibility and chairs the North American Income Trust and the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, which is currently delivering the largest finance-focused campaign for COP28. Dame Susan has received honorary degrees from a number of Scottish universities, including Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and she was awarded a DBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.

Beginning her role as Chair in November, Dame Susan takes over the helm from its interim Chair, the Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond OBE.

Commenting on her appointment, Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport, said: “The Forth Green Freeport has a broad and exciting vision for Scotland and I’m pleased to be leading the team in its execution. The creation of major port infrastructure, the development of new green industries and re-industrialisation of our communities is hugely compelling to me.

 “I’m honoured to have been appointed as the Chair and I welcome the opportunity to steer this impressive consortium as we create and implement the Forth Green Freeport. As an experienced adviser in delivering long-term economic development projects, I will support the Forth Green Freeport to deliver the community regeneration and many new jobs across Fife, Falkirk, Leith and Central Scotland. I’m delighted to be part of this.”

Welcoming Dame Susan Rice to the Chair role, Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports Group and Interim Chair of Forth Green Freeport, said:

“We are extremely privileged to have someone with Dame Susan’s extensive experience and enthusiasm to Chair the ambitious opportunity that the Forth Green Freeport can deliver for Scotland. The decision to appoint Dame Susan was unanimously agreed by all of the consortium partners, both public and private sector, and we warmly welcome her to the Board.

  “Dame Susan’s career background is aligned perfectly as the consortium works together to create the driving force to deliver long term benefits for communities through well paid skilled green job creation and to assist in achieving the country’s net zero goals.”

 Forth Green Freeport was shortlisted earlier this year with its visionary bid which will re-industrialise the nation and create large scale economic development. The vision will act as a catalyst for new green technologies and renewable energy manufacturing, unlocking multi billion pounds of private and public investment for Scotland, create significant jobs and associated economic value add. The consortium is currently preparing its Outline Business Case which will be submitted to the Scottish and UK Governments shortly.

2 November 2023                                        – ends –

The Port of Tilbury welcomed the West Ham United youth team for an educational visit as part of Black History Month and Windrush75. The Port of Tilbury was the first arrival point for the HMT Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 and this year’s 75^th anniversary was celebrated in Tilbury with members of the local community including relatives of people who were aboard the Windrush.

The aspiring young players took part in a guided tour of the cruise terminal and the landing stage where the first of the Windrush generation arrived in the UK from the Caribbean. The tours were led by the Tilbury Riverside Project and local historian expert Sue Yates.

West Ham United became the first high level professional football club to play three black players, Clyde Best, Ade Coker and Clive Charles. The club continues to pride itself on its inclusive and diverse values to this day.

Commenting on the importance of this visit, Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director said: “We were honoured to host the West Ham United youth football team at the Port of Tilbury as part of their educational understanding of the Windrush Generation during Black History Month. For us at Forth Ports, it is not only just about the past, it is about opening the doors to a more inclusive understanding for the future.”

 Jamie Bather, West Ham Academy’s Head of Education said: “Here at the Academy, we truly value the importance of Education for our players and being able to support and contribute to their holistic and rounded development is our goal. We empower our players to be ambitious with their academic studies alongside their football development to be able to achieve their potential both on and off the pitch. 

 “Our U12s are currently completing an education project with the Premier League, which is focused on the Christmas Truce, Windrush75 & Walter Tull; being able to visit Tilbury Docks and spark the players imagination by bringing to life the stories of the Windrush generations has been a fantastic experience for our players and staff.”

Henry Brown, West Ham Under 12’s player added: “This visit today has inspired me to want study History as a GCSE subject because I have really enjoyed learning about the history of Tilbury Docks and the Windrush generation.”

Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987 and is now marked annually across the month of October. The month allows everyone, including businesses, to share, learn and celebrate black history and culture.

26 October 2023                                Ends

The UK’s third largest ports group, Forth Ports, has set out its commitment and the actions it is taking to achieve a net zero carbon operation by 2042 at an industry launch event in Edinburgh (Wednesday 4^th October).

At the event, the company launched a film which demonstrates its ambitious vision of achieving carbon neutral emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2032 and creating an infrastructure platform to help accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy with full net zero carbon emissions being achieved by 2042.   

A cornerstone of Forth Ports’ strategy is its substantial investment in infrastructure, port services and towage to support the build out of the UK’s renewable energy sector, including offshore wind. A private investment programme, totalling £150 million, has already provided crucial support to offshore wind development with the creation of bespoke renewables hubs in Dundee and in Leith to be part of the offshore wind revolution in the North Sea. This investment not only facilitates the transition to net zero but also lays the groundwork for emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind (FLOW) and green hydrogen.  In recent months, the group has unveiled plans for green hydrogen production facilities at the Port of Tilbury.

Forth Ports Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond OBE, used the platform to lay out Forth Ports’ vision to create a high-capacity FLOW integration facility at the Port of Burntisland in Fife. FLOW will play a critical role in the UK achieving its net zero ambitions, with over half of Scotland’s offshore wind capacity in the deep waters where floating wind is to be deployed.  The Forth Estuary is one of the only suitable locations with the capability to integrate FLOW turbines in Scotland, with few other locations having the infrastructure, land and deep water required.  This vision would produce a unique asset combining key elements of the offshore wind supply chain across logistics, marshalling, manufacturing and marine services.

Commenting at the launch event, Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “With our firm commitment to carbon neutrality by 2032 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2042, we are driving progressive change in the maritime industry and beyond. Our ambitious vision reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and our crucial role in supporting the UK move towards a decarbonised economy for the generations of the future.

 “Our existing major investment in green energy, coupled with our commitment to floating wind, the next generation of renewable energy, and our collaborative approach underscore our determination to play our part in driving the transition to a decarbonised economy to achieve meaningful and lasting environmental change.”

Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, said: “I welcome the commitment from Forth Ports, to achieving carbon neutrality by 2032 and net zero by 2042. I have visited Forth Port’s Grangemouth facility, and what was made clear to me was the critical role that ports play in our economy.  It is encouraging, then, to see such a key operator show leadership and commitment to maintain and grow that role in Scotland, as we transition to net zero.

 “This commitment builds on impressive achievements to date, and I look forward to seeing Forth Ports’ full net zero plan being rolled out and how, working collectively, we can help deliver our ambitions for a just transition to net zero.”

The Rt Hon Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland said: “Forth ports, one of the UK’s largest ports groups, becoming net zero by 2042 is a welcome commitment. The leadership they are showing demonstrates what can be achieved by one of Scotland’s major infrastructure hubs. Forth Ports is a partner in one of Scotland’s two new freeports, each backed by £26m from the UK Government, and I look forward to hearing more about their plans.”

 Across all eight of its UK ports, including its largest port in Tilbury, Forth Ports is also overhauling and electrifying equipment and machinery, switching to low carbon fuels, increasing on-site renewable energy generation and promoting low carbon delivery alternatives such as rail and barge. Forth Ports is part of the Thames Freeport and Forth Green Freeport* partnerships which are seeking to accelerate the drive to net zero across the country.

Specific carbon reduction actions under way across Forth Ports:

Sustainable electricity – all eight ports use environmentally sustainable sources of electricity, including on-site wind turbines at Tilbury, London’s major port. All new warehouses will have solar roof panels installed as standard, such as the recently built 100,000 square foot facility at the Port of Grangemouth freight hub.  These projects are already satisfying a meaningful proportion of the ports’ power needs.  A programme of rolling out new LED lighting is under way to further reduce power use across all port estates.

Low carbon fuels – for mobile equipment and marine fleet, the strategy is to blend and utilise alternative fuels.  Initially this involves the widespread use of sustainably sourced hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and, as technology develops, other methods of low emission power.  An ongoing programme exists to introduce more fuel-efficient equipment and marine fleet across the asset base.

Green energy ports – the group is focused on delivering low carbon logistics and large-scale port infrastructure to support green energy generation.  The group has overhauled its rail offering by investing heavily in four of its rail terminals, at Tilbury, Tilbury2 and Grangemouth, alongside progressing the reinstatement of a rail connection to Rosyth as part of the Forth Green Freeport initiative.  The group has invested significantly in port infrastructure to support the roll-out of ScotWind at Dundee and Leith, which will create high quality green jobs and help facilitate Scotland’s just transition to a Net Zero future.  In addition, the group has recently installed shore-side power at Leith and its new development, Tilbury2, is shore-side power enabled to help drive down in-port emissions from visiting vessels.

Scope 3 or supply chain emissions – Forth Ports is working with its supply chain to drive down the group’s Scope 3 emissions.  These mainly stem from the use of steel and aggregate when constructing infrastructure or the purchase of mobile port equipment and marine vessels.  The business is pro-actively engaging with suppliers to find fit-for-purpose, low carbon emission alternatives.  For example, the award-winning construction of Dundee’s renewables quay, called DunEco Quay, used steel pipes fabricated from reused or recycled materials. The port also created a paved storage area by reusing building and road materials from the onsite works, which avoided adding to landfill and reduced – or eliminated – road delivery miles for the aggregate, saving thousands of tonnes of carbon in the delivery of this project.

Forth Ports has collaborated with Fleete, a specialist in commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, to develop a charging hub at the Port of Tilbury. The Fleete Hub, when built, will provide charging for a range of electric vehicles for the port’s customers and workers, including light and heavy commercial vehicles, passenger cars and specialist vehicles. This innovative model allows the port’s customers to electrify their fleet without the challenges of building and financing their own charging infrastructure. Forth Ports and Fleete believe this model is a critical catalyst in decarbonising customers’ operations and reducing Forth Ports’ Scope 3 emissions.

5 October 2023                                           Ends

Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest ports group, has promoted Michelle Primrose to the newly created role of Chief People Officer (CPO) and joins the Group’s Executive Board.

Michelle joined Forth Ports as Group HR Manager in 2021, and in her new role as CPO she will continue to focus on Forth Ports’ people who are at the core of the success of the business. The CPO role will play a critical part in the long-term future of the business and Michelle will be instrumental in developing talent and succession across the business to meet the current and future strategic plans and aspirations, including the company’s drive to Net Zero.

Forth Ports has outlined its commitment and the actions it is taking to achieve a Net Zero carbon operation by 2042 alongside the Thames Freeport and Forth Green Freeport partnerships which are seeking to accelerate the drive to Net Zero across the country.

Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive, said: “As a Group we are committed to employee growth and development supported by the attraction and retention of talent in our business which is crucial for our long-term success. Michelle’s passion for building a diverse and inclusive workplace aligns with our core values and we are excited about the positive impact that her new role as CPO will bring to the Group.”

 Commenting on her promotion, Michelle Primrose said: “I am thrilled to be appointed to the role as Chief People Officer. The creation of this new role further demonstrates Forth Ports’ commitment to developing and upskilling our people across our UK operations. As part of my role we will focus on continuing to enhance diversity and inclusion as we build on our values and purpose.”

Michelle is a highly experienced HR professional with previous roles with leading businesses including BAE Systems, Balfour Beatty, AECOM and Sainsbury’s. Michelle is a chartered MCIPD with experience in the delivery of successful people-focused HR strategies and also of supporting a large workforce during a period of change and growth. Michelle joins the Executive Board of Forth Ports with responsibility for people across the Group’s eight ports with a workforce of 1300.

13 September 2023                                       -Ends-

RWE – the UK’s largest power generator and a world player in renewable generation, Mitsui – a global trading and investment company with a diversified business portfolio that spans approximately 63 countries, and the Port of Tilbury – London and the South East’s logistics hub, are developing an innovative hydrogen project at the Port of Tilbury in Essex as part of a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) for two green hydrogen projects.

Hydrogen has a crucial role to play in helping the UK achieve its 2050 Net Zero ambitions and is an essential component for decarbonising different industrial sectors.  Through the MoU, the organisations will complete two parallel work streams:

• A small scale ‘proof of concept’ demonstrator project to produce green hydrogen for decarbonising items of port equipment by switching from fossil fuels to hydrogen.
• An initial study into a 10 megawatt green hydrogen plant. The facility will be developed on Port of Tilbury land previously housing a coal-fired power station, transforming an area historically associated with fossil fuel power generation to green hydrogen production, at the heart of the Thames Freeport. The project will also look at options to scale up development over a ten year period upwards of 100 megawatts. The hydrogen would be used for port infrastructure and operations in addition to providing green hydrogen to the surrounding industry.

Dehenna Davison MP, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, commented: “This project is another great example of Freeports driving the UK’s shift to a dynamic, low-carbon economy by developing the industries of the future.

“This will bring great local opportunities by creating exciting new careers for people, demonstrating one of the many reasons why Freeports are at the core of our levelling up agenda.”

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport lead, said: “This is an important opportunity to support the Port of Tilbury’s commitment to achieving Net Zero for our customers. Our business has set out our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042 by investing in the infrastructure in the ports. As part of Thames Freeport, our MoU with RWE and Mitsui to develop a new hydrogen plant at the Port of Tilbury will help accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy and support our vision for low carbon logistics.”

Steve Boughton, RWE Director Hydrogen Development, said: “Hydrogen is a key component of the energy transition and we want to play a leading role in this, aiming to develop 2GW of capacity by 2030. This collaboration with Mitsui and the Port of Tilbury is for an innovative project combing production and industrial customer use with potential fuel switching of port equipment.”

“Hydrogen will play an essential role in the pathway to net zero, particularly in hard to decarbonise industry. We are committed to playing a full part in the delivery of this emerging technology in the UK, and at the same time creating skilled green jobs.”

Shinya Umehara, General Manager Hydrogen Solutions Business Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. “Mitsui has set a target of achieving net zero-emissions status by 2050 and aims to halve its greenhouse gas (GHG) impact by 2030, compared with the level for the fiscal year ended March 2020.”

“Hydrogen is one of the areas identified for Mitsui’s key strategic initiatives as stated in the Medium-term Management Plan 2026. Through this project, Mitsui is looking forward to playing an important role in the realisation of the UK’s hydrogen strategy in collaboration with the Port of Tilbury and RWE.”

7 July 2023

On National Windrush Day, the Port of Tilbury held a fantastic day of celebrations in the London Cruise Terminal to mark the official day where 75 years ago on the 22 June, the port played a significant role for the Windrush generation as their arrival point into the UK from their long voyage on board the Empire Windrush.

This year, the port celebrated Windrush Day with a day of activities for local schools and the community. Invited guests from the Windrush community, boarded a Thames Clipper from London and travelled to the Port of Tilbury where it docked at the exact location that the Empire Windrush came in on 22 June 1948, allowing a generation of people to move through the Cruise Terminal on Tilbury’s riverside to start a new life in the UK.

On arrival a local steel pan band welcomed passengers as they stepped ashore where they enjoyed a Caribbean tea dance with the Ageless Teenagers before they boarded the clipper back for a relaxing for the boat trip back up the river to London.

Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director from The Port of Tilbury. Paul Dale commented: “We held the perfect celebration to mark National Windrush Day. Our historic London Cruise Terminal has played an important part in the community since it was built the 30s and we were pleased to be able to host this wonderful event with Thames Clippers to mark this year’s Windrush Day. We all had a brilliant time.”

 22 June 2023                                    -ends-

The Port of Tilbury, London’s fastest growing port, announces that they have created 40 new jobs, including 10 apprenticeships as well as skilled roles, on the back of strong business growth working with a major global brand customer in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

The 30 new skilled jobs include Warehouse Operatives, Warehouse Co-ordinators and Gatehouse Administrators.  The Port of Tilbury offers competitive salaries, attractive benefits and a stable career in a growing industry.

In addition, the port is also creating 10 new Warehouse & Logistics Apprenticeships to support the growth plans of the asset and support the commitment to invest in the workforce of the future.

Commenting on the recruitment Paul Dale, Asset & Site Director said: “A career at the Port of Tilbury is a fantastic opportunity. We are excited to be creating 40 new jobs in a dynamic and growing industry. We look forward to welcoming all new joiners and apprentices to the Port who will have an important role to play delivering excellent service for our customers.

 I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the roles we have on offer via our website or come along to our recruitment event in the Cruise terminal on Monday 3^rd July to meet the team and learn more about a career at the port.”

 The Port will be having an open recruitment event on Monday 3^rd July 2023. The event will be on from 10am until 6pm, come along to find out more!

 For more information and to apply for the positions available at Forth Ports, click here: https://www.forthports.co.uk/careers/

13 June 2023                        – ends-