UK government grants £33 million for green maritime technology

UK Maritime Minister, Lord Davies, has announced the winners of £33

ports and ships.

This is to accelerate the UK’s race to decarbonise the sector while

supporting jobs in coastal communities across the country, helping grow the

economy in the long term.

The £33 million ($42 million) has been awarded to 33 projects across all 12

regions of the UK to deliver demonstrations, factory trials, and feasibility

studies.

These initiatives position the UK as a leader in emerging clean maritime

technologies, fostering sustainable high-skilled jobs across the country and

boosting coastal economies.

The funding comes from the fourth round of the government’s Clean Maritime

Demonstration Competition (CMDC4), which focuses on developing a range of clean

maritime technologies including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind

power and more.

Lord Davies visited two of the winning organisations, Aqua SuperPower and

RS Marine Group, in Southampton, to see their pioneering network of electric

chargepoints and electric vessels in action.

Thanks to CMDC4, the winners will work together to build on their existing

electric infrastructure to provide electricity back to ports, harbours, and the

grid when the vessels are not in use. CMDC4 builds on three successful previous

rounds, which allocated over £95 million ($121 million) to 105 projects and

leveraged over £45 million ($57.3 million) in private investment.

The latest funding comes from the wider £206 million ($262 million) UK

Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, announced in March

2022.

“Unlocking a sustainable maritime sector and the economic growth it

provides relies on cutting-edge technology to propel it to the next level,” said

Maritime Minister, Lord Davies.

“The voyage to sustainability demands bold investments to not just deliver

greener shipping but highly skilled jobs across the UK. Today, we witnessed a

first-hand glimpse into the transformative solutions that can help shape the

future landscape of the maritime industry and support jobs in coastal

communities.”

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, stated: “British Marine is proud to

celebrate the achievements of our members, who are leading the way in

sustainable maritime innovation and are among the beneficiaries of the

government’s £33 million ($42 million) investment in green maritime

technology.

“This significant funding is just one way in which the government can help

accelerate our industry’s journey to net zero emissions and mark a new era in

maritime history. Many of our members are pioneering electric vessels and

charging ports, in turn, contributing to environmental sustainability, job

creation and the UK’s levelling-up agenda.”

In September 2023, the UK government announced the winners of the Zero

Emission Vessel and Infrastructure Fund (ZEVI), where coastal communities around

the country will receive over £80 million ($100 million) in government

investment, promoting economic growth and the UK’s efforts to reduce carbon

emissions.