The UK Government announced they will support innovative companies in coastal communities from Orkney to Portsmouth with £80 million of R&D funding to boost clean technology and create jobs.
As the UK Government notes, whether it’s Artemis Technologies which is demonstrating inter-island electric ferries, helping boost regional connectivity and economic opportunity, or Tidal Transit Ltd, which is electrifying a crew transfer vessel for offshore wind farms and enabling greener sustainable energy, the winners have a crucial role to play in cleaning up the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Today’s winners are at the cutting edge of the nation’s maritime industry – a crucial part of this government’s plan to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the UK.
… said Transport Secretary Mark Harper
As a seafaring nation, it is in our national character to push nautical limits and this funding will help to ensure the UK maintains its position at the leading edge of maritime innovation.
… added Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere
The multi-million-pound ZEVI fund, launched in February, is designed to take tech from the factory to the sea by supporting projects that have a long-term impact in reducing carbon emissions.
Successful projects must show they could use this money to work with major UK ports and operators to launch a zero-emission vessel by 2025 at the latest.
One project on the south coast of England, the Zero Emission Network of Workboats, claims their work will deliver savings of 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the span of the 3-year demonstration. That’s a saving equivalent to 113,000km driven by an HGV – saving millions of tonnes of CO2 if implemented around the world.
This funding will also support an emission-free postal service through Thames Clipper’s project to use a 100% electric fast vessel to deliver Amazon parcels from Dartford to Tower Bridge Quay.
Their project ‘Electric Orkney’ aims to decarbonise inter-island transport through the commissioning of two Artemis 100% electric foiling vessels and charging infrastructure.
… explained Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris
The government also claims in their statement that hundreds of jobs are being supported thanks to ZEVI with the resulting R&D helping the sector shift its energy source away from fossil fuels.
Additionally, Portsmouth International Port has predicted the funding it’s receiving will help to deliver its 20-year plan and grow its employment from just under 6,000 to just over 40,000 while Collins River Enterprises has forecasted a boost in job numbers by up to 800 thanks to today’s funding.
Mike Sellers, director of Portsmouth International Port, pointed out that this project will see the Port be able to not only provide shore power for ships on 3 of its berths, but also provide power for the hybrid Brittany Ferries ships coming in 2025.
The arrival of 2 LNG-hybrid ships in spring 2025, will be the climax of the biggest fleet renewal programme in our history.
… agreed Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries
Meanwhile, Maritime UK CEO, Chris Shirling-Rooke stated that Britain has always been an island of maritime pioneers and that the winners of the fund and the global leadership on show during London International Shipping Week shows this tradition will continue long into the future.
Our Value of Shipping report shows that 650,000 jobs are dependent on shipping with every job in shipping supporting 10 more in the wider economy. This welcome funding is a chance to build on this strong foundation and help shipping deliver further jobs, innovation and economic growth in all parts of the UK.
… said Sarah Treseder, CEO of UK Chamber of Shipping
The ZEVI fund is part of the UK SHORE programme, launched in March 2022 with £206 million in funding. UK SHORE aims to tackle shipping emissions and advance the UK towards a sustainable shipping future.
The £49.6 million of UK Government funding will benefit communities in Orkney – with 2 new electric ferries – and Aberdeen through the introduction of low carbon technology to its maritime sector. The environment, connectivity and economic growth will all benefit from this substantial investment.
… concluded UK Government Minister for Scotland, John Lamont
