£20m fund to propel green shipbuilding launched

The government is hoping that hydrogen-powered vessels and e-charge points at ports will become a common sight thanks to a £20m competition launched today to make innovative green maritime ideas a reality.

The fund will be used to support the development of prototype vessels and port infrastructure that could then be rolled out widely – propelling the sector towards net zero.

The government is encouraging scientists and academics to collaborate with UK shipping, ports and shipbuilders to enter ambitious proposals into the competition.

The trials of successful winners’ ideas will enable companies to test the new technologies, with a view to them being developed commercially if proven to be successful.

“We have a proud shipbuilding history, and together with industry, I am determined to build on that as we look to develop the innovations of the future and meet our net-zero target,” says transport secretary Grant Shapps.

“We are revolutionising maritime technology, and from electric boats to hydrogen ports, we will change the way this country sails forever, and bring jobs and prosperity to the UK.”

“This is a turning point for the UK’s maritime sector,” says maritime minister Robert Courts. “It’s an opportunity for businesses to develop the technologies of the future, not only protecting our environment but driving economic growth.

“I urge this country’s best thinkers to put their green ideas forward and help us deliver a better, cleaner maritime sector.”

This comes as the government prepares to launch two funded studies focused on achieving net zero in the recreational craft and offshore wind sectors.

Developed in partnership with the carbon trust, the new study on recreational craft will set out how the barriers to the supply of, and demand for, zero carbon recreational craft can be overcome. It plans to make a series of recommendations to governments and industry, including on using alternative fuels, which will be published in late Spring.

“The maritime sector must decarbonise by 2050,” says Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust. “Large numbers of people both enjoy and are employed by the recreational craft industry and there are opportunities for leadership in decarbonisation technologies. The recreational craft sector encompasses a wide range of vessel types and there are unique challenges that need to be overcome. A combination of targeted innovation support, cross-industry collaboration and regulatory and financial intervention will be needed to accelerate the development and uptake of low carbon technologies.”

A separate study is being developed on the offshore wind sector, produced in partnership with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Workboat Association. It will bring a coalition of industry partners together to break down the barriers to moving all operational and maintenance vessels working in the North Sea offshore wind sector to zero emissions by 2025.