Adam
Northover.
Adam Northover is Senior Business Development Manager for Ports, Infrastructure, Environment (including Electrification) and Simulation at BMT. He works with port operators, infrastructure owners and government organisations across the UK and Europe to address some of the biggest challenges facing the maritime sector, including decarbonisation, energy transition, infrastructure resilience and operational performance.
Before joining BMT, Adam served as a Royal Navy Specialist Navigator and later held senior marine leadership roles with Associated British Ports (ABP), including Group Marine Manager and Designated Person. Having worked both at sea and within one of the UK's largest port groups, he brings first-hand experience of the operational, safety and commercial realities facing ports as they adapt to changing market and regulatory demands.
At BMT, Adam helps ports plan for future demand, improve resilience and make informed investment decisions across areas including port infrastructure, environmental management, digital twins, simulation, offshore wind and energy transition. He is particularly interested in how shore power, electrification and emerging technologies are reshaping the relationship between ports, energy networks and the wider supply chain, and the practical steps required to deliver sustainable growth while maintaining safe and efficient operations.
When Ships Plug In: How National Grids Carry 24/7 Port Electrification?
The rapid expansion of shore power introduces a new and continuous layer of demand on national electricity grids, particularly in ports handling large cruise and container vessels. This session explores how grid operators are preparing to accommodate sustained, high-load demand while maintaining stability, reliability, and compliance with national energy strategies. Through real-world examples and technical insights, the discussion will address grid congestion, infrastructure upgrades, and the coordination required between ports and utilities to ensure uninterrupted power supply in an increasingly electrified maritime environment.
