FEATURE
Energy solutions- Navigator Terminals’ new energies project development manager, Jonathan Marshall, left, and head of new energy markets, Matt Wilson.
How Navigator Terminals is building the infrastructure for the UK’ s energy future
Teesside roots,
WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE: TOM BANKS national reach
For generations, Teesside has powered Britain’ s industrial success. Today, the same skills, infrastructure and expertise that made the region a global industrial force are helping to place it at the heart of the UK’ s energy transition.
Few businesses are better placed to demonstrate that than Navigator Terminals.
A leading UK bulk liquid storage provider, Navigator operates four strategically located terminals at Seal Sands and North Tees on Teesside, the Thames Estuary and Windmill in South Wales.
“ Through our long-established Teesside operations, we’ ve spent more than 40 years supporting UK and European fuel markets, providing the safe storage, handling and movement of products that are vital to the UK’ s energy security and industrial supply chains,” says Jonathan Marshall, new energies project development manager.
“ As part of the UK’ s critical national energy infrastructure, we provide tailored storage and integrated logistics solutions across crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, bitumen, liquefied gases and biofuels.
“ We don’ t own the product- our role is to provide the infrastructure that allows our customers to move and store their products safely, reliably and efficiently.”
Navigator’ s reputation has been built on the highest standards of safety, operational reliability and customer service- qualities that are essential for customers relying on complex supply chains and dependable infrastructure.
And, while its expertise is rooted in established energy markets, its ambitions are firmly focused on the future.
“ We have our core business, but the focus of attention is on net zero,” Jonathan said.
Working with industry partners, Navigator is developing infrastructure solutions that support the UK’ s pathway to net zero, including carbon capture and CO₂ aggregation, sustainable aviation fuel( SAF) logistics and future low-carbon energy solutions such as biomethane, hydrogen and e-fuels.
The company has completed Department for Energy Security and Net Zero consultations for non-pipeline transport( NPT) and the recent NPT Pathfinder project focused on collecting CO₂ from industrial emitters, bringing it into terminal infrastructure for onward movement or putting it back into the circular economy.
For Jonathan, Navigator’ s experience in traditional industrial sectors is exactly what strengthens its role in the transition.“ There’ s a misconception because we deal with chemicals and fuels that we are not looking ahead to the future,” he says.“ But the experience, knowledge and safety culture we have built over decades are exactly what will help deliver the next generation of energy infrastructure.”
That safety culture underpins everything Navigator does. Operating as an upper-tier Control of Major Accident Hazards( COMAH) site, the company works within one of the UK’ s most highly regulated industrial environments, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and HMRC.
Its experienced workforce and commitment to ongoing training provide customers with confidence that operations are delivered safely, efficiently and responsibly at scale.
For customers across the UK and Europe, Teesside is a major strategic advantage.
“ Wherever you are based, there’ s the opportunity to work with us,” said Jonathan.
“ We have the knowledge, expertise and experience. We understand the markets. Teesside is a real hub and we are positioned well. It’ s a great location for importing and exporting.”
But beyond infrastructure and geography, Jonathan believes Teesside’ s greatest strength lies in how industry operates together.
He added:“ There’ s a unique spirit on Teesside- a willingness to share knowledge, work together and solve challenges.
“ We have conversations with companies along the river, drawing not only on our own expertise, but also the knowledge and experience of the wider industrial cluster.”
For a company with a national footprint and global connections, being based on Teesside is one of Navigator Terminals’ greatest strengths- combining decades of industrial capability with the infrastructure, skills and partnerships needed to help deliver the UK’ s energy future.
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