A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) underlines the Freeports’ commitment to working with public and private sector partners, particularly in the logistics industry. The project aligns with the Government’s Freeports Delivery Roadmap, which highlights the need for investment in sustainable transport solutions to link the two Freeports sites.
The Green Corridor initiative prioritises the use of technologies such as green hydrogen, electric charging systems and digital twins to reduce carbon emissions. By working together, the Freeports aim to accelerate the development and adoption of these technologies within the Corridor.
Building on the established concept of Green Corridors in the maritime sector, this initiative aims to combine efforts to decarbonise both maritime and land transport.
This collaboration between the UK’s largest container port (Felixstowe) and the Midlands logistics hub represents a significant opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of goods entering and leaving the UK.
The benefits of the Green Corridor project go beyond environmental considerations. The initiative has several objectives. Firstly, it aims to reduce reliance on road freight. With over 5,000 lorries leaving the Freeport East area every day, most of which are destined for the Midlands, a shift to rail freight is in line with the government’s target of increasing rail freight by 75% by 2050.
Secondly, the project aims to minimise the impact on local communities by reducing the environmental impact of freight in areas such as Cambridge, Ipswich and Leicester.
Finally, the Green Corridor initiative recognises the need for future-proof skills. New skills will be needed in areas such as green logistics and the operation of new vehicle technologies.
Both Freeports are already investing in initiatives to develop these skills. East Midlands Freeport is progressing plans for a Future Energy Skills Hub and has invested £17 million in a Zero Carbon Innovation Centre. Freeport East is looking to develop new innovation and skills hubs in Stowmarket and Harwich.