British maritime sector gets £34 million from the UK government to develop new sustainable technologies that will help the decarbonization of shipping.
The funding is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). With the fourth round of funding, this brings the total invested through the CMDC to £129 million.
The funding will open for applications on 2 August until 27 September. The competition scope and eligibility criteria are available to read on the competition web page.
Prospective bids will be assessed against a range of criteria to see how likely they will deliver on real world demonstrations of clean maritime technology. This can include everything from creating alternative fuel sources for freight ships to pushing the limits of battery powered vessels.
A total of 105 projects across the UK have been awarded more than £95 million in the first 3 rounds of the CMDC to support the design and development of clean maritime solutions towards commercialisation.
One example of this is MJR Controls, which has been developing a charging system that can be installed on offshore wind turbines. This will power electric crew transfer boats and maintenance vessels operating in offshore wind farms, reducing carbon emissions.
Maritime Minister Baroness Charlotte Vere said: ”Pushing the boundaries of possibility is integral to the UK’s global ambition of a greener maritime sector. That’s why today’s new round of funding continues to set that course, not only keeping our climate goals on track but also boosting opportunities for private investment, new jobs and growing the economy.”
”The UK’s maritime sector is one of the most competitive and innovative in the world and today’s latest clean maritime demonstration competition funding is testament to that,” Vere added.
The UK government said that through the development of both business and consumer focused tech, this competition is ensuring that UK maintains its status as a world leader across all facets of the maritime sector and builds on its Clean Maritime Plan and Maritime 2050 ambitions.
UK´s department for transport and Baroness Vere of Norbiton highlighted the fact that “this ongoing focus to foster green maritime technology will not only showcase the UK as a base for private investment but help boost the possibility of future jobs in the maritime sector, grow the economy and highlight how the UK sector is at the cutting edge.”
