The North East has the opportunity to build the UK’s first Green Super Port. But realising that ambition means drawing on global lessons, defining a governance model, and acting now.
When I first proposed the idea of a Green Super Port for the North East, I was working as Business Development Manager for the Tyne and Wear Development Company, over twenty years ago. Later, as leader of Newcastle City Council and Cabinet lead for economy in the North East Combined Authority, I secured the proposal gaining support from the then interim Combined Authority Cabinet, and through negotiation with the Secretary of State, on to a formal commitment in the NEMCA devolution deal. Alongside the first regional industrial strategy we were developing, this really positioned the Combined Authority with meaningful and unique offers.
This is a genuine game-changing opportunity for the region. With the right leadership and structure, we can place North East England on the global map as one of just a handful of green super-port hubs worldwide.
Securing the commitment was an early success, but we need more than a commitment, the next task is to define it: its purpose, structure, value, and impact. To help do that I suggest that we should examine super port exemplars from around the world. This has been an area of interest of mine for some time, largely because I recognise the enormity of the opportunity presented by our geography, industrial heritage, and existing assets, so let’s consider existing super ports from across the globe.
Roberts Bank Superport – Canada
Built on reclaimed land, Roberts Bank near Vancouver handles over 20 million tonnes of container and coal exports annually. Governed by a federated port authority, it has faced environmental challenges, particularly from Indigenous communities concerned about habitat loss.
Takeaway: Scale brings scrutiny. Any North East port model must bake in environmental protection and community buy-in from the start.
London Gateway – UK
DP World’s port combines a 2.7 km quay with integrated logistics and warehousing. It’s projected to create more jobs than the 2012 Olympics.
Takeaway: Co-locating logistics, rail and port activity boosts employment and decarbonises supply chains.
Tuas Mega Port – Singapore
A global leader in port tech, Tuas is fully automated and powered by AI and digital twins. Its Maritime Digitalisation Playbook fosters start-up innovation and AI-driven logistics.
Takeaway: Smart ports need digital roadmaps, innovation hubs, and ecosystem investment.
Port of Rotterdam – Netherlands
Europe’s largest port is a clean energy pioneer, using hydrogen handling, shore power and AI to optimise operations.
Takeaway: Hydrogen, digital twins, and autonomous systems aren’t luxuries—they’re preconditions for modern port competitiveness.
Vietnam SuperPort – Southeast Asia
Planned as Europe’s first multi-modal net zero port by 2040, Vietnam’s model includes electric fleets, green fuels, inland waterways and live ESG monitoring.
Takeaway: Multi-modalism and emissions tracking make ports investable and publicly accountable.
The North East’s opportunity lies in learning and applying these lessons. The Green Super Port must not simply be a title on a government document. It should become a living, working model of green, digital trade infrastructure.
Here’s how I believe this could be achieved:
Federated Governance Model
Inspired by Canada, the North East should create a Green Port Authority with representation from Blyth, the Tyne, Sunderland and Newcastle Airport. This ensures coherence in strategy, investment, and ESG standards across the network.
Integrated Clean Infrastructure
Align ports, rail freight, and airport logistics into a single clean corridor. Electrify cranes, install shore power, and build out hydrogen refuelling capability—cutting emissions and boosting resilience.
Digital Twins & Smart Operations
A regional Port Digital Twin could simulate energy use, vessel scheduling, and emissions. AI would optimise berth availability, reducing idle time and improving efficiency.
Innovation Ecosystem
Expand Blyth’s Energy Central Campus to host a cleantech and port-tech cluster—partnering with universities and SMEs to support innovation in digital logistics, hydrogen, and automation.
ESG Monitoring and Community Engagement
Develop real-time dashboards for environmental and social metrics. Engage communities and environmental partners early to build trust and ownership.
Why is this important now? The green super port has all the key components in place, it isn’t a matter of a large-scale capital investment, this doesn’t require 100’s of millions of investment. This could be a number one priority for the Combined Authority.
What could the green super port deliver?
Jobs: A coordinated port network can create thousands of high-skill jobs in logistics, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Skills: Partnering with universities to train people in hydrogen systems, AI, and digital logistics supports inclusive, place-based skills growth.
Resilience: Electrified ports reduce carbon, while digital twins build system redundancy and long-term resilience.
Inward Investment: A defined Green Super Port with measurable outcomes makes the region investable. It’s a centrepiece for the new North East inward investment strategy.
Equity: Locally-led clean growth brings inclusive opportunity, aligning with the Combined Authority’s wider ambitions.
The Green Super Port is not just about logistics. It is about what kind of economy we want to build. Do we chase volume, or do we deliver value?
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design a system that connects our industrial strengths to global markets, while lifting communities, reducing emissions, and inspiring innovation.
The Combined Authority must now define this concept with ambition, clarity and accountability. We have the evidence. We have the expertise. And we have the mandate.
Let’s not waste it.
NEMCA’s consultation is expected later this year. Let’s make our voices heard.
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