Peel Ports Group has welcomed for the first time a new energy efficient liquefied natural gas (LNG) dredger as it strives to improve the sustainability of its operations.
For maintenance dredging of the Port of Liverpool and King George V Dock in Glasgow, the UK’s second largest port operator employed Dutch maritime contractor Van Oord’s Vox Apolonia.
The LNG trailing suction hopper dredger is being utilised for the first time at any of the group’s ports, and just the second time in the UK.
The Vox Apolonia runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has a far lower carbon footprint than traditional following suction hopper dredgers. The usage of LNG decreases nitrous oxide emissions by 90 per cent while completely eliminating sulphur emissions.
Peel Ports Group – which is committed to being a net zero port operator by 2040 – first welcomed the vessel to the Port of Liverpool this month, before it carried out work in Glasgow, and returned for further work at its site in Liverpool.
At the same time, Van Oord delivered its new hybrid water-injection dredger Maas to the port, which was bunkered with a biofuel blend for the first time.
It presently produces 40 per cent less carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) than its predecessor when dredging for the port group in Liverpool, according to the firm.
The comes after the company sent four independent vessels to do critical dredging of the Liverpool channel and docks at the same time.
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Garry Doyle, Group Harbour Master at Peel Ports Group, said; “We are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment across our port estate. We are striving to become net zero across the group by 2040, and the Vox Apolonia is a step ahead in terms of its sustainability credentials.
“Maintenance dredging is vital to both support the functioning of our ports, and to provide a safe navigation for vessels passing through our waters.
“It’s important to us that we use methods that are as energy efficient as possible to do this work, and that’s why we chose the Vox Apolonia for this important project.”
Marine Bourgeois, Project Manager at Van Oord, stated: “We’re constantly researching and investing to bring our fleet to the next level in terms of sustainability. We have our own commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the Vox Apolonia is the next step towards that goal.”
“It’s been great to work with Peel Ports on this project. They are always open to collaborate in our initiatives to provide greener and more efficient dredging solutions. We are proud to bring our marine ingenuity in support of their goal to be net zero by 2040.”
In June 2023, Peel Ports Group invested £10 million ($12.6 million) on a new outer lock gates at the Port of Liverpool.
