Freeport East has joined the push to decarbonise heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from the Port of Felixstowe by providing an initial £50k to support Maritime Transport’s plans for a new electric truck hub on a freeport site.

The proposed electric truck hub, led by Maritime and planned for a site on Anzani Avenue in Felixstowe, could see up to 6MW of high-speed, open-access charging made available for electric HGVs, as well as other heavy vehicles and buses. It could serve hauliers, logistics operators, transport firms, employment sites and major infrastructure projects in the Freeport East region, including Sizewell C and other major energy projects.

The financial contribution from Freeport East, which could increase in subsequent phases, will help Maritime Transport move the project through the next stage of planning and technical development, including preparatory work towards a future planning application to East Suffolk Council. If plans progress smoothly, the hub could be up and running in 2028.

The proposed facility would boost Freeport East’s broader Green Freight Corridor initiative, launched in partnership with East Midlands Freeport in May 2024, which aims to decarbonise freight transport and support skills and employment along one of the UK’s most important logistics routes. The Port of Felixstowe sees over 5,000 HGV journeys a day, of which only a small minority are currently electrified.

Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, commented: “Decarbonising freight is one of the biggest challenges facing logistics in our region, and access to reliable and high-capacity charging infrastructure is a critical part of the solution. It is also a key part of maintaining the Port of Felixstowe’s leadership position for international trade, with many of the leading shipping lines, logistics operators and freight customers wanting to see lower emissions in the sector. This facility, under the leadership of Maritime Transport, could help fill a real gap for hauliers and other operators. Anyone interested in how the project could support their decarbonisation objectives would be welcome to get in touch as the development evolves.”

Tom Williams, Deputy CEO at Maritime Transport, added: “This funding allows us to take the next step in assessing what a full-scale, open-access eHGV charging facility in Felixstowe could look like. We’re working closely with our specialist infrastructure partners and with Freeport East to test the case for the site, and we’re encouraged by the progress so far.”

The proposed hub reflects a wider need across the region to expand access to reliable, high-power charging infrastructure for freight operators as the sector moves towards electrification. Freeport East will continue to work with Maritime Transport as the project develops, and welcomes interest from hauliers, logistics operators and other stakeholders keen to learn more about the proposed facility and how it could support their own decarbonisation objectives.