The Green Corridor initiative, a collaboration between the ports of Holyhead and Dublin with ferry operators, Stena Line and Irish Ferries, and supported by the environmental consultancy Ricardo, Maynooth University and EDF, has received a £122,303 grant from the International Green Corridor Fund.
The initiative, aiming to establish a zero-emission shipping route between Holyhead and Dublin, has moved one step closer following the funding boost.
A green shipping corridor is a route between two or more ports upon which a zero-emission vessel operates. Reducing emissions along green corridors helps accelerate global maritime de carbonisation, it was claimed.
‘Greening the Irish Sea – The Central Corridor’ is led by ferry operators, Irish Ferries and Stena Line, and supported by Ricardo environmental consultancy in partnership with other stakeholders and was set up to explore the feasibility of a green shipping corridor between Dublin Port and the Port of Holyhead.
The International Green Corridor Fund is financed by the governments of Ireland and UK, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Ireland’s Marine Institute, supported by the respective Department of Transports in UK and Ireland.
The Holyhead/Dublin trade route is the busiest roll-on/roll-off routes between the UK and Ireland. In 2022, nearly 1.5 mill people travelled on this route, with over 6,000 sailings accounting for more than 74% of all ferry passenger transits between the two countries.
Both Dublin and Holyhead serve as key economic gateways, handling a significant volume of trade, with Dublin Port handling 83% of ro-ro freight and 72% of ferry volumes into Ireland.
The stakeholder group, which also includes Holyhead Port Authority and Dublin Port Company, the EDF R&D team and academic partners, Maynooth University, will use the funding to assess the suitability of the route as a green shipping corridor.
Detailed assessments of existing landside and vessel infrastructure will be conducted, accompanied by economic and environmental impact analysis.
The initial focus will be on vessels operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line and the potential for e-methanol as an alternative fuel, although the feasibility of other alternative fuels will also be considered.
Ian Davies, Head of UK Port Authorities, Stena Line said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding to explore establishing the first ‘Green Corridor’ between Wales and Ireland in collaboration with our partners.
“It is one of many initiatives that Stena Line is undertaking across ships and ports in the Irish Sea to support our sustainability strategy. We are already working to future proof our fleet across Europe by investing in new hybrid ships and have plans to convert existing ships to be able to operate on alternative fuel.
“This project will allow us to determine the best way forward for our vessels on this key trading route between Dublin and Holyhead, and to assess the infrastructure needs at Holyhead Port to support a fossil free shipping corridor,” he said.
Andrew Sheen, Managing Director, Irish Ferries, added: ‘We welcome this government funding and look forward to collaborating on this important project.
“Irish Ferries already has a strong focus on sustainability and has previously availed of Green Shipping Finance from the European Investment Bank to support our investment in new and existing ships to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
“We hope the feasibility studies for this project can be conducted quickly so that we can move forward to establish Ireland’s first ‘Green Corridor’ and advance our own and Ireland’s sustainability agenda,” he said.
Outputs will include assessments of the potential low-carbon energy pathways; a detailed exploration of the regulatory and policy measures that could support the green shipping corridor; and a business case containing project timescales, cost-benefit projections, and delivery plan.
Also to be reviewed are opportunities for local and national sustainable fuel production, and the evaluation of the modifications required at the ports to enable sufficient storage and bunkering.
The research team will consult with engine manufacturers, operators, port authorities and alternative fuel suppliers to contrast the viability of converting existing vessels against newbuildings, whilst there will also be regular engagement with maritime regulatory bodies to ensure any proposals follow international and domestic requirements.
The six month study commences this month and if established, the Green Shipping Corridor (GSC) will be the first green route to operate between the UK and Ireland.
