Dover becomes UK’s first net-zero port
April 28, 2026 12:21
On April 14, the Port of Dover announced it had achieved its target of carbon net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) for 2025, five years ahead of any other UK port, and 25 years ahead of the UK government’s maritime target.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director of Viking UK which has 27 calls to Dover this year, commented: “We offer our congratulations to the Port of Dover for becoming the UK’s first net-zero port, particularly as they have achieved this before the target date. In line with the port’s efforts, as a global leader in experiential travel, we are very mindful of our responsibility to the environment ourselves. Like the Port of Dover, our long-term success depends on our ability to develop programmes that meet or exceed both the global regulatory frameworks and local regulations for each area we visit. From the beginning, our approach has focused on minimising impact through design and technology, including reducing fuel consumption.”
The port’s emissions for Scope 1 and 2 have fallen by a huge 98.3% from 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct. The Short Straits counts for eight percent of all UK maritime emissions, so this news is a significant step forward for the future of maritime decarbonisation.
Doug Bannister, ceo Port of Dover, said: “We are proud to be celebrating this milestone moment, which has seen our carbon emissions reduce drastically from nearly 14,000 tonnes 18 years ago. We are not stopping here. We want Dover to be a global leader, putting the UK on the global stage as home to the world’s first high-volume Green Shipping Corridor here on the Short Straits. This sustainability drive is an essential part of our Port of Dover 2050 Masterplan, helping to protect the UK’s competitiveness and drive economic growth in an efficient and sustainable manner.”
The port’s longer-term ambitions require strong partnerships with industry and government. Its Scope 1 and 2 achievements have, however, been accomplished through its own drive and determination to champion sustainable maritime trade and travel.
Examples include:
*Purchasing sustainably sourced HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) to operate machinery
*Installing 1.5MW of on-site solar generation
*General energy efficiency improvements, such as purchasing renewable electricity and using LED lighting and heating controls
*Residual emissions being offset through an approved local regenerative farming scheme, which has produced carbon credits under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct
The port also recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard (PERS) for the fourth time, which is the only port-specific environmental management classification.
Peter Wright, head of cruise at the port, said: “As a major homeporting and transit destination with passenger numbers growing, delivering our operations sustainably is vital to the continuing success of the Dover cruise business.
“Beyond the port’s net zero achievement, we have implemented a range of other environmental initiatives, notably our longstanding Safety and Environment Awareness Award (SEA award) which in its ninth year, has championed improvements in waste management and CO2 emissions by cruiselines.”
