UK government to allot £77 million funding for zero-emission vessels

Port of Southampton (Photo: Associated British Ports)

Zero-emission ferries, cruise ships, and cargo ships will set sail in UK waters within two years thanks to a £77 million (US$93.15 million) government investment in clean maritime technology.

The government has thus issued a call for UK universities to collaborate and apply for funding to deliver vital scientific research behind clean maritime solutions.

The Department for Transport clarified that successful projects must show the money could be used to work with major UK ports and operators to launch a zero-emission vessel by 2025 at the latest.

Examples of such technology include battery electric vessels, ships running on low carbon fuels like hydrogen or ammonia, and wind-assisted ferries. Also to be evaluated are associated infrastructure such as shoreside charging facilities.

The competition will be overseen by Innovate UK, a division under science and research funding agency UK Research and Innovation.


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