New York, USA – Port cities can create a wave of socioeconomic benefits for local people, businesses, and investors through clean energy opportunities, a new report from built environment consultancy Arup and C40 Cities reveals.
- Growth for local economies, new green jobs, and significant returns for investors could be unlocked by transforming ports into clean energy hubs
- Port cities can future-proof economies, boost public health, and scale clean energy systems
- The report demonstrates how to capture opportunities in sustainable fuel hubs, electrification hubs, and offshore wind hubs
The ‘Ports as Clean Energy Hubs’ report provides a clear path to leadership in offshore wind, sustainable fuels, and electrification. This change could unlock billions in investment, create high-quality jobs, and deliver cleaner air for millions of people.
The report highlights innovative projects that are already underway, including investments in clean trucks and cargo-handling equipment at the US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – cutting air pollution and creating cleaner, healthier communities. The expansion of sustainable fuel bunkering in Singapore and the electrification of ships, trucks, and equipment at the Ports of Stockholm are also examples that other port cities can learn from.
Transforming ports into clean energy hubs is not just about environmental policy; it’s a strategy for urban prosperity. By taking the lead on this transition, cities can:
- Create New Jobs and Industries: Ports can become manufacturing and assembly centers for renewable energy components, like offshore wind turbines, and hubs for new, green jobs in clean technology.
- Improve Public Health: Shifting from fossil fuels to electricity and sustainable fuels for port operations and transportation can improve air quality. This can contribute to improved health of residents in port communities, who are often disproportionately affected by poor air quality.
- Boost Economic Resilience: By generating and storing their own renewable energy, cities can create a more reliable and independent power supply, helping reduce their exposure to global price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
The report spotlights three key opportunities to grow local economies, generate new green jobs, and support a just transition in port cities:
- Investing in Sustainable Fuel Hubs: Ports and port cities can help the world move away from fossil fuels by becoming centers for producing and exporting cleaner fuels. This includes both clean fuel as cargo to power transport and industry and green ammonia and methanol to refuel ships. This supports global efforts to reduce emissions and creates local jobs and investment.
- Investing in Electrification Hubs: By providing clean electricity to ships, trucks and port equipment, ports can drive the shift to electrified transport and cut carbon and air pollution. Supplementing this with on-site renewable generation and storage can also create decentralised, resilient port energy systems.
- Investing in Offshore Wind Hubs: Ports can serve as vital staging grounds for manufacturing and deploying offshore wind turbines. This not only boosts exports but also creates thousands of green jobs in the community.
Many cities are already showing the impact these ideas have in the real world, like Brazil’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen and ammonia facility in Camaçari, which could attract $1.5bn in private investment. The development of an offshore wind hub in New York City’s South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is also set to deliver 810 MW of renewable energy – enough to power 500,000 homes. Meanwhile, wind turbine manufacturing in Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director, Gene Seroka, said, “More than a critical gateway for global trade, the Port of Los Angeles is an economic engine for jobs and innovation.
“At the same time, we’re committed to advancing sustainable operations across our port to improve public health and support our communities. It’s imperative that ports and their stakeholders around the world work together in the transformation to cleaner energy solutions.”
NYCEDC President & CEO, Andrew Kimball, said, “New York City’s transformation of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into the nation’s largest offshore wind port, creating thousands of good jobs and renewable energy to power 500,000 homes, exemplifies how cities can reimagine aging waterfronts as new hubs of innovation and prosperity.
“The green economy, from the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to electric vehicle charging stations to large-scale battery storage, isn’t just about jobs today — it’s building thriving communities and climate resilience for generations of New Yorkers to come.”
C40 Cities Managing Director for Climate Solutions and Networks, Cassie Sutherland, said, “Port cities are not only essential hubs for global trade, they are also on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
“‘Ports as clean energy hubs’ equips port cities with clear guidance to scale our clean energy systems while transitioning away from fossil fuels, build resilient economies, and deliver environmental and health benefits to people and planet.”
Arup Global Maritime Business Leader, David Dack, said, “Ports have a compelling opportunity to become catalysts for a clean energy future – unlocking billions in investment, creating green jobs, and strengthening local economies.
“Our report provides a clear toolkit and global best practice to help city leaders seize this opportunity. By transforming ports into clean energy hubs, we can drive the energy transition in a way that delivers for people, planet, and prosperity.”
The Ports as Clean Energy Hubs report and action toolkit is available for download on the C40 Knowledge Hub and the Arup website