UK supports maritime decarbonization with new $37M funding

On January 16, 2025, the UK unveiled the latest round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6).

CMDC is designed to support clean maritime technologies including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power and more.

Coastal communities and businesses across the country are expected to benefit from £30 million ($37 million) of new decarbonization funding, helping to drive economic growth and create jobs – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

Successful projects have included the installation of Britain’s first electric chargepoint network across ports in the South West, the ‘largest-ever’ retrofit of a hydrogen research vessel in Wales and the installation of a carbon capture system on a vessel.

“This new £30 million investment is part of our Plan for Change – growing the economy and making Britain a clean energy superpower,” Mike Kane, UK’s Maritime Minister, commented.

“I’m proud to see this funding boost growth and create jobs throughout the UK, as well as ushering in an era of zero-emission shipping.”

On January 15, Kane visited Hull to see how the city has benefited from £3.7 million of CMDC funding through one of the program’s flagship projects, GT Wings’ AirWing.

The innovative wind propulsion system has been built and delivered locally at Alexandra Dock and promises to reduce emissions on vessels by up to 30%.

The first AirWing is being assembled at the MMS Docks in Hull and will be installed on a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel, with sea trials scheduled for March 2025.

This project is said to create opportunities for skilled workers and bring economic activity to the region, positioning Hull as a hub for maritime innovation.

Innovate UK will open the sixth round of the CMDC on January 24. The application window will close on April 16, 2025.

“CMDC round 6 is a great opportunity for UK innovators to take part in a world-renowned maritime transport R&D grant funding programme. The competition focuses on the ever-more prevalent issue of decarbonisation within the industry and we’re looking forward to seeing participation from across the maritime transport sector and beyond, focusing on physical, digital, system and skills-based innovation,” Mike Biddle, Executive Director, Net Zero at Innovate UK, said.

“We’re extremely excited about the imminent launch of AirWing, our next-generation, compact wind propulsion technology designed to help even the most challenging ocean-going vessels decarbonise by harnessing wind power,” George Thompson, CEO of GT Wings, noted.

“We look forward to the first AirWing being installed on our cargo ship this month, significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions,” Simon Merritt, Senior Fleet Manager at Carisbrooke Shipping, stressed.

The sixth round of funding brings the total invested through the CMDC to £159 million, accelerating the vast economic benefits that green maritime funding has on local jobs, industries and economies.

CMDC funding comes from the £236 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program, which is focused on decarbonizing the UK maritime sector through research and development. Innovate UK is the delivery partner for CMDC and will manage the distribution of funds to successful applicants.