RGU partners with Peterhead Port Authority

As part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), Aberdeen Business School will assist PPA as it embeds sustainability across its port and operations.

The work will be led by KTP Associate Ashley Masson, who brings strong technical and academic expertise to the project.

There will be a combination of practical management approaches, such as user need analysis, stakeholder engagement, and development with specialised sustainability expertise in areas including climate resilience, renewable energy, technology deployment, and appraisal.  The main aim is to enhance PPA’s operational efficiency and long-term commercial competitiveness.

David Gibbons-Wood from Aberdeen Business School said: “The port in Peterhead is central to the success of the town. This project includes listening to the future needs of local stakeholders and giving the port the infrastructure it needs to have a long-term future.”

Keith Mackie, PPA’s Head of Business Development – Energy Transition, said: “We are delighted to be working with RGU and the KTP Centre team and look forward to supporting Ashley and drawing on his wide-ranging experience and knowledge as the project progresses.”

The project will assess and roadmap the potential adoption of energy transition technologies, including shore power, electrified port equipment, and expanded renewable energy infrastructure. This work will inform long-term strategies for sustainable and resilient port operations.

A practical toolkit will be deployed to support the economic, social, and environmental evaluation of developments. Key elements include user audits, solutions mapping, appraisal, change management, stakeholder validation, and sustainability management. The toolkit will align with PPA’s objectives and national regulatory frameworks, helping PPA make informed, responsible decisions for sustainable growth.

The KTP has been made possible due to funding from Innovate UK and PPA and will run for the next two years.

There has been a harbour at Peterhead for more than 400 years and its prosperity is intricately linked to maritime activity. Peterhead has long been the UK’s most successful fishing port, with gross value landings reaching more than £341 million in 2025.