The UK Government has earmarked €38.6M (£33M) for 33 projects nationwide, focusing on demonstrations, factory trials, and feasibility studies for clean maritime technologies. The funding, part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), now totals £128M (€150M), aiming to support the maritime industry in achieving net-zero emissions.
Key initiatives include the development of electric vessels, charging ports, and various clean maritime technologies such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and wind power. Aqua SuperPower and RS Marine Group, based in Southampton, are working on electric charge points and vessels, planning to provide electricity to ports and the grid when vessels are inactive.
The funding supports projects like WSW Marine’s bio-methanol-powered leisure vessel and Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders’ clean shore power solution. The CMDC initiative builds on past rounds, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The latest funding, part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions program, showcases the continued demand for clean maritime investments and marks a pivotal shift towards a cleaner, more prosperous maritime future.
Scottish Consortium Receives Funding for Green Hydrogen Shore Power Trial
A Scottish consortium, comprising four renewable and maritime companies, secured over £535,000 (€625,400) from the UK Department for Transport. The funding, part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), will be used to develop a green hydrogen shore power trial project at the Port of Leith.
The year-long trial, supported by Forth Ports, aims to use green hydrogen produced from wastewater to power tugboats at the port. The consortium partners, Forth Ports, Waterwhelm, Logan Energy, and PlusZero, plan to create a demonstrator system for green hydrogen shore power, eliminating the need for diesel-powered systems currently in use.
The project involves using Waterwhelm’s water treatment technology to produce hydrogen from wastewater, which will then be used as a clean fuel for tugboats, replacing diesel generators. The initiative aligns with Forth Ports’ commitment to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a net-zero future by 2042.
Winning Projects Include:
- AirWing Maximised Thrust Wind Propulsion: a wingsail system that provides extra thrust, reducing fuel costs by up to 50%, and thus carbon emissions too
- Integration of Green Hydrogen Shore Power with Water Reuse: Greening the increasing energy use at UK ports, towards Net Zero
- Smart Grant Funded Zero-Carbon Vessel Design: decarbonising shipping with a methanol-powered vessel
- Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels: electric vessel batteries provide energy storage and flexibility services to ports, harbors
- Ultra-efficient Electric Boats: electric boats with hull optimised to reduce energy use
- PALM Charger: offshore recharging for electric marine vessels
Sources
UK awards €38.6 million to develop green technologies for ports and ships, Offshore Energy, 2024-01-26
Scottish consortium to develop green hydrogen shore power trial with CMDC funding, Ibid., 2024-01-30
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