The Port of Tilbury is set to host a new green hydrogen production facility, marking a step towards decarbonising one of the UK’s key logistics hubs and its rail-connected supply chains.
Under a long-term agreement, GeoPura and Forth Ports will develop a 1 MW hydrogen plant, using electrolysis powered by on-site renewable energy. Production is expected to begin this year, with hydrogen used across port operations and the wider Thames Estuary.
From a rail and freight perspective, the project highlights the growing role of alternative fuels in decarbonising heavy logistics, particularly in multimodal hubs where rail, road and maritime operations intersect.
Tilbury handles large volumes of cargo and is connected to the UK rail network, making it a strategic node for integrated freight flows. The introduction of hydrogen offers potential to reduce emissions not only in port equipment and road vehicles, but also across adjacent logistics chains, including rail-served terminals.
The facility is supported by public funding through the Thames Freeport programme, reflecting a broader push to test low-carbon technologies in real operational environments and accelerate their adoption across industry.
For freight operators, hydrogen could provide a viable solution for hard-to-electrify segments, complementing rail electrification and supporting wider decarbonisation targets across European logistics.
The project also links to major infrastructure developments, including the Lower Thames Crossing, where hydrogen is expected to replace significant volumes of diesel during construction.
As the UK advances its hydrogen strategy, projects such as Tilbury point to a future where ports and rail hubs act as energy centres, supplying low-carbon fuels to surrounding transport networks.
For the rail sector, this reinforces the importance of integrating infrastructure, energy and logistics, as decarbonisation increasingly extends beyond traction to the wider supply chain.
