UK charts £30M course for green shipping

In the UK, Offshore Energy reports on January 16, 2025, the UK government announced £30 million in funding under the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, aimed at advancing clean maritime technologies like wind propulsion, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol across coastal communities and businesses.

Projects funded in previous CMDC rounds include Britain’s first electric chargepoint network for ports in the South West, the retrofit of a hydrogen-powered research vessel in Wales, and a carbon capture system on a ship. Maritime Minister Mike Kane stated, “This new £30 million investment is part of our Plan for Change – growing the economy and making Britain a clean energy superpower.”

In Hull, the GT Wings AirWing, a wind propulsion system built locally at Alexandra Dock, received £3.7 million in funding. Scheduled for installation on a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel, the AirWing promises to reduce emissions by up to 30% during sea trials starting March 2025.

Innovate UK will open applications for CMDC6 on January 24, 2025, with a focus on decarbonization innovations in physical, digital, and skills-based maritime technologies. The new funding builds on £159 million already invested through CMDC, accelerating green maritime projects under the UK SHORE program. The application window closes on April 16, 2025.

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