The maritime sector has been given greater support to deliver innovative solutions and new technology in the race to decarbonise the industry and grow the economy.
The government has committed £34 million, part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, in a fourth round of funding, taking the total invested through the CMDC to £129m.
The competition looks to foster and promote the continued progress towards reaching our net zero goals through the development of novel and sustainable technologies that will help connect people, goods and services in a cleaner, greener way.
“Pushing the boundaries of possibility is integral to the UK’s global ambition of a greener maritime sector,” said Maritime Minister Baroness Charlotte Vere.
“That’s why today’s new round of funding continues to set that course, not only keeping our climate goals on track but also boosting opportunities for private investment, new jobs and growing the economy.
“The UK’s maritime sector is one of the most competitive and innovative in the world and today’s latest clean maritime demonstration competition funding is testament to that.”
Today’s funding will open for applications on 2nd August until 27th September. Prospective bids will be assessed against a range of criteria to see how likely they will deliver on real-world demonstrations of clean maritime technology: this can include everything from creating alternative fuel sources for freight ships to pushing the limits of battery powered vessels.
A total of 105 projects across the UK have been awarded more than £95m in the first three rounds of the CMDC to support the design and development of clean maritime solutions towards commercialisation.
One example of this is MJR Controls, which has been developing a charging system that can be installed on offshore wind turbines. This will power electric crew transfer boats and maintenance vessels operating in offshore wind farms, reducing carbon emissions.
Elsewhere, Collins River Enterprises has been awarded £6m of funding to demonstrate a zero-emission electric river ferry from Canary Wharf to Rotherhithe in London. The ferry will provide a sustainable alternative to a polluting drive or busy tube and create a blueprint for sustainable ferry crossings across the UK and around the world.
“Instilling confidence in the UK shipping industry to invest in new technologies and fuels is central to reaching net zero. This funding, with a focus on real world demonstrations, will help to do that and unlock investment from across the shipping community to deliver the technologies that will reduce emissions while ensuring shipping remains at the heart of the UK’s economy,” said UK Chamber of Shipping chief executive Sarah Treseder.
The CMDC is funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) and delivered by Innovate UK.
UK SHORE is a programme within the DfT focused on accelerating the technology necessary to decarbonise the domestic maritime sector and is delivering a suite of interventions aimed at addressing different barriers to maritime decarbonisation.