Shoreham Port

INVESTING IN CHANGE ON THE SUSSEX COAST

The heritage of Shoreham Port can be traced all the way back to 1760. Since inception, it has been operating as a Trust Port, meaning it runs as its own independent statutory body. Surpluses made are reinvested in the Port to benefit both stakeholders and the local community, creating jobs and opportunities. Hannah Barnett spoke to Director of Engineering & IT Brian Rousell, Commercial & Property Director Beth Evans-Gay, and Head of Communications Kate Tyrer.

Though once existing to serve the power and gas industries, in recent years Shoreham Port has undergone a huge amount of change, according to Director of Engineering & IT Brian Rousell.

“In the last few years, the big change has been to focus on renewables and sustainability,” he said. “We've been increasingly building energy efficient and sustainable developments. I think, because we're a Trust Port, rather than privately owned or municipal, we take the long view on development. We are looking at investment that makes sure the Port is here for centuries to come.”

Community sustainability

Shoreham has been a certified EcoPort since 2013. It has two nED-100 wind turbines, affectionately named Gusty and Spinny, which produce up to 400MWh of electricity every year. This matches the energy needed to run the canal pump house, helping to maintain the canal level for vessels. Generating its own energy saves the Port approximately 160 tonnes of CO2 every year.

The fleet of nearly 40 forklifts, cranes and other machinery have transferred from diesel to gas-to-liquid fuel, reducing engine particulates by up to 90%, and nitrogen

SHOREHAM

oxides by up to 25%. Similarly, the Port has also changed the fuel infrastructure for its two tugboats, saving 4.5 tonnes of CO2 a year. And since early 2023, over 83% of the small vehicle fleet are electrified, with 15 electric vehicles equating to a carbon reduction of over 11 tonnes per year.

Shoreham Port’s eight award-winning Values:

• Good eggs

• All-in

• Fair

• Savvy

• One team

• Own it

• Open doors

• Trusted custodian

One of the Port’s stated values is to be ‘savvy’ in business, and that is apparent as it continues to invest in its growth. One

of the significant ways it is doing so is by expanding its ever-increasing commercial tenant community, now numbering over 170 units.

One of the most noteworthy developments is a new office building called Lady Bee Studios. “What’s interesting is it’s the first development that we’ve used a modular build for,” Beth Evans-Gay, Commercial & Property Director explained. “It’s quite different for us. It’s a fast build, but the heart of it is a sustainable construction profile, attracting SME tenants and contributing to this thriving tenant community.”

According to Ms Evans-Gay, the company has seen almost 20% growth in its revenue over the last two years as a result of projects like Lady Bee Studios, and investment in a new haulage fleet, as well initiatives

like the Adur dock development which includes Port Kitchen, the locally sourced, community-focused, café serving the Port since June 2022.

Investments and growth

Another exciting initiative is an eight-figure partnership deal with HSBC UK to consolidate existing facilities and finance future growth. Funding will be used to expand cargo handling facilities, continue to develop commercial property estate and enhance terminal capacity. It is a deal which suits the sustainability credentials of the Port, too.

“One of the things we like about working with HSBC is they've got this initiative with sustainability linked KPIs for the loan,” said Mr Rousell. “If we outperform or meet the targets, we get a reduction on our interest charge. If we fail to meet them, there's a small penalty. It's a good incentive to think about sustainability in everything we do.”

Alongside this, in November 2022, it was announced that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will support the Port’s application to redevelop its dry dock through the UK Seafood Fund, a landmark government investment in the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry.

As a result, Shoreham Port is investing over £700,000 into a renovation of the dry dock, which has served users since the 1930s. 75% of the capital comes from the DEFRA award. This will provide essential maintenance services to local and visiting fishing fleets for future generations.

“Investment in the dry dock will allow us t o refresh and modernise,” said Mr Rousell. “It is going to be a valuable asset for the Port and the region. Sustainability was a significant element of our bid because vessels and trawlers that are regularly calling into Shoreham have had to go to Holland, or even Scotland, for dry docking. So, we will be able to offer them a quick

turnaround, save a huge amount of emissions, and strengthen the supply chain for the fisheries.”

Green Energy Hub

Another string to Shoreham Port’s sustainable bow comes with its role as a Green Energy Hub, working towards the development of green hydrogen. This allows the port to play a significant part in decarbonisation and the emerging market for clean fuel.

The first phase focuses on the provision of green hydrogen and renewable electricity to the Port’s fleet of forklift trucks and HGVs. These ambitious plans bring together a group of strategic partners including H2 Green (a Getech Group company), Ricardo and Local Fuels.

“I think one of the big challenges with the Green Energy Hub is going to be increasing the renewables,” Mr Rousell reflected. “We’ve got two small wind turbines and we're looking at putting up several larger ones. That is not going to be straightfor -

ward; it’s going to require cooperation from local residents and planning authorities. But we pride ourselves on our relationship with those groups.

“I think we are in a unique position to be able to work with all our global partners to try and break this chicken-and-egg cycle of those not wanting to use green hydrogen until someone’s making it, and those not making it until there is someone to use it.”

Relationships and partnerships

One of the most striking elements of Shoreham Port is how many plates it keeps successfully spinning at once. Strong local partnerships are therefore essential to continue running efficiently.

As Mr Rousell said: “Our relationship with our local authority partners is key because it means a lot of our work is done with the community alongside us. In recent years we’ve put our energies into strengthening these partnerships with our local councils.”

Looking ahead, the Port hopes to continue forging these bonds and ensuring the work

it does is establishing a better future, despite a somewhat turbulent market. “I would say we're cautiously optimistic,” Ms Evans-Gay reflected. “It's difficult to understand what's going to happen in the marketplace. We are integrally linked to the construction industry, because of the cargo we process. So, we continue to look at how to change and adapt.”

Certainly, nothing looks likely to stay still at Shoreham Port. As Kate Tyrer, Head of Communications, summarised: “It’s exciting working somewhere that's really living and breathing. The Port itself is its own ecosystem. I will come back after the weekend and things will have changed overnight. I cannot say I've had a boring day in four-and-a-half years.” n