UK Secures More Funding for Zero-Emissions Shipping Drive

The UK government is providing more funding for the development of new technology that would help bring the country closer to zero emission shipping.

Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani has committed a further GBP 1 million (USD 1.2 million) to fund new shipping technology projects through MarRI-UK, a consortium of maritime organisations.

MarRI-UK has already allocated GBP 1 million to support early stage clean maritime projects and the government is providing a further GBP 1 million for technology and innovation projects.

“The UK continues to lead the way on the global stage, playing a key role in reaching an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50% in 2050,” Minister Nusrat Ghani said.

The government also announced a push to bring financiers and budding entrepreneurs together to help innovation flourish in the sector.

What is more, a new Green Finance for Maritime conference in Summer 2020 is to bring together representatives from the government, financial services and technology sector to build relationships and broker new deals.

“MarRI-UK is the first collaborative body in the sector that brings together expertise from all parts of the sector. We back decarbonisation by 2050 and by working collaboratively with government, we will achieve this,” Sarah Kenny, Vice Chair of Maritime UK, said.

“Already across Britain we’re seeing promising progress: from hybrid ferries to hydrogen fuel, the sector is tackling the challenge head on.”

Highlighted projects include hybrid ferries being used between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and in Scotland. Additionally, shore-side electricity at Portsmouth, Fraserburgh and Brodick ports drives down emissions from running engines, while a project in Orkney is exploring how to directly inject hydrogen into the fuel supply of ferries, reducing Co2 emissions.