6 Not Addressed

Amend draft National Policy Statement for Ports to clarify applicability to DCO projects

Recommendation
To remove scope for ambiguity, the Department should amend the wording of the draft revised National Policy Statement for Ports to explicitly confirm its applicability to projects directed into the Development Consent Order process under section 35 of the Planning Act 2008. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) Design policy
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the provision of shore power and charging infrastructure in the NPSP, strengthening guidance and acknowledging grid capacity challenges, but it does not address the recommendation regarding the applicability of section 35 of the Planning Act 2008.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
5.6 The Government strongly supports the provision of shore power and charging infrastructure and the revised NPSP will strengthen the guidance on advance provision for shore power already present in the 2012 document. 5.7 At the same time, we recognise the challenges that many ports currently face in securing sufficient Grid capacity; and once secured, pricing terms that are competitive with the use of ships’ generators. Work on this continues in liaison with DESNZ. But the NPSP will make clear the importance of new facilities being designed with shore power and sufficient charging infrastructure firmly in mind. National Policy Statement for Ports: 6. Environmental obligations Carbon budgets and the Finch judgment
Addressee Bodies
Department for Transport
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Report published 14 Nov 2025