The UK’s race to
decarbonise the maritime sector has been given another vital
boost, with £60 million in government funding distributed to
innovative companies nationwide developing futuristic green
technology.
For the first time, the UK government is funding the
development of new clean maritime technology across a 2-year
period. Companies in 12 regions around the UK will benefit from the cash,
generating highly skilled jobs across the nation and positioning
the UK as a world
leader in green solutions.
The Transport Secretary, , visited Artemis Technologies
in Belfast on Tuesday 14 February to see some of the tech in
action.
Using technologies adapted from the worlds of high-performance
yacht racing, motorsports and aerospace, the company is
developing vessels that effectively ‘fly’ above the water
surface. The vessels produce zero emissions when foiling and
offer energy savings of up to 90% resulting in significantly
lower operating and maintenance costs.
Transport Secretary said:
Our maritime sector imports 95% of goods into
the UK and
contributes £116 billion to our economy – more than both aviation
and rail combined.
With growing the economy one of the government’s top priorities,
we must continue our efforts to ensure the UK remains a pioneer in cutting-edge
clean maritime solutions.
The funding we’re awarding today will help to do just that,
bringing emission-free concepts to life and fuelling innovation.
The funding comes from the third round of the
government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration
Competition (CMDC3),
which focuses on developing a range of clean maritime
technologies including hydrogen, ammonia, electric and wind
power.
During the 2-year investment period, successful companies will be
required to demonstrate that their projects will work in the real
world, helping them to progress towards becoming an everyday
reality.
CEO at Artemis
Technologies Dr Iain
Percy OBE said:
The clean maritime demonstration competition is key to unlocking
those innovations across the region that will transport
the UK towards a
more sustainable future and we are thrilled that it has once
again recognised the integral role Artemis Technologies can play.
With this latest round of funding, we are emboldened to advance
our green technology projects, develop world-leading clean
vessels for our seas, and continue on our mission to lead the
decarbonisation of maritime.
Other winners include a project led by Collins River Enterprises
Limited to build and test a brand new fully electric ferry on the
River Thames between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe, building on
research funded through the first round of the CMDC.
Another project led by AceOn Battery Solar Technology Ltd will
develop hydrogen-powered vessels to transfer crew to wind farms
off the northeast coast of England from the Port of Blyth.
WingTek are also receiving CMDC3 funding
to develop and demonstrate 2 full-sized prototypes of
wind-assisted ships with high tech sails, which will reduce the
amount of fuel used by the vessels as well as the emissions they
produce.
CEO of
the UK Chamber of
Shipping Sarah Treseder said:
Congratulations to all the successful bids, which cover a wide
range of technologies and aspects of shipping.
The UK Chamber of
Shipping is committed to net zero by 2050. This funding is an
important milestone in ensuring we continue to work together to
achieve this important target and will help us complete the
journey from theory to reality for zero emission shipping.
Today’s funding comes from the wider £206
million UK Shipping
Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE)
scheme, announced in March 2022.
The CMDC is
one of the many initiatives from UK SHORE to
fund green technology. Last week the government launched
the Zero Emission Vessels and
Infrastructure competition to support projects in the
latter stages of development, and the Clean
Maritime Research Hub – aimed at the early science and
research behind green technology.
