Port of Blyth is making huge strides forward in its ambitious strategy to decarbonise operations as it has taken delivery of its first fully electric crane. The Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 Mobile Harbour Crane, which was initially scheduled for delivery in April, has been delivered by Meriaura’s multipurpose deck cargo carrier, M/S Meri, designed for project and special cargo.

Once in operation, the Konecranes unite will be the first “Generation 6” model to be deployed in the United Kingdom. Known as one of the UK’s leading offshore energy support bases, the Port of Blyth will utilise the new asset at its relaunched Bates Clean Energy Terminal, itself a major low carbon redevelopment scheme.

Thanks to its electrical design concept, the 125-tonne lift capacity heavy lift crane, ordered in January this year, completely eliminates local carbon emissions and reduces noise to an absolute minimum. In addition, a smart power management system recovers energy from braking and lowering movements which can then be re-used by other crane functions or fed back into the harbour mains.

Alan Todd, Port Director at the Port of Blyth, said: “The new crane is an important part of our overall decarbonisation strategy and at the same time will significantly improve lifting capability at our flagship Bates Clean Energy Terminal. We look forward to receiving the crane and enhancing support to our growing cluster of offshore energy and low carbon focused customers.”

Ideally positioned midway between Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth, the Port of Blyth is home to a mature supply chain of offshore energy related businesses and the crane is set for a very busy future, servicing offshore wind opportunities in the North Sea in particular.