Government announces £77m funding competition to advance zero-emission vessels sailing in UK waters by 2025
The government has announced a £77 million investment into clean maritime technology through a new competition to help develop zero-emission ferries, cruises and cargo ships.
The funding is intended to help advance the technology move from the factory to the sea – by helping to identify projects that will have a long-term impact in reducing emissions.
Successful projects will need to demonstrate that they will be able to use this funding to work with major UK ports and operators to launch a zero-emission vessel by 2025 at the latest.
Examples of such technology could include battery electric vessels, shoreside electrical power, ships running on low carbon fuels like hydrogen or ammonia, and wind-assisted ferries.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
“When it comes to tackling climate change, we are taking action on all transport modes, which is why we’re making sure our world-leading maritime sector has a greener future.
“This multi-million-pound investment will help the latest tech ideas become reality and ensure UK waters will play host to green cargo ships, ferries and cruises in the next few years.
“Our funding will support a cleaner freight system, a more environmentally friendly tourism industry, and a net-zero maritime sector.”
The multi-million-pound Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition wants innovative companies to apply for the funding, which must be used to decarbonise technology both on board and shoreside. The competition will be overseen by Innovate UK.
The Government is also calling on universities across the UK to join forces to establish a new Clean Maritime Research Hub, with £7.4m funding from government and additional funding from academia and industry.
Research in the fundamental science behind clean maritime technologies will be delivered by the hub, building evidence and expertise for the maritime sector. It will also support skills development across the industry and generate knowledge for maritime decision-makers.
The hub will be delivered in partnership with, and co-funded by, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The ZEVI fund and Clean Maritime Research Hub are part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme which was launched in March 2022 with £206 million in funding. UK SHORE aims to tackle shipping emissions and advance the UK towards a sustainable shipping future.
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