UK’s maritime industries say they need £2 billion per year from private and public sector to deliver their target to decarbonise by 2050 and further become global leaders in decarbonisation.
At the beginning of London International Shipping Week, Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK´s maritime industries, notes that this level of funding would help the industry decarbonise by developing green fuels, port infrastructure and new types of technology, enabling an overall reduction in carbon emissions.
Maritime UK also points out that to successfully meet the challenges ahead and achieve these goals, collaboration between UK Government and British shipping industry is essential.
Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Maritime UK, said: “If we are going to decarbonise, we are going to have to work with government and government is going to have to work with industry. This is an incredible opportunity for collaboration. In the UK we have the expertise and ability to export new technology to the world. We can build, and do build, some of the most advanced vessels in the world, so it’s not beyond the wit of man that we can dig into this and create more.”
It’s worth noting that London International Shipping Week (LISW), which runs from September 11, is expected to provide a showcase for green shipping, including a demonstration by a new zero-emission “flying” boat built in Belfast and developed by UK company Artemis.
Chris Shirling-Rooke, added that “so often we see decarbonisation as a real problem – and it is a real challenge. We are going to have to change. However, it’s also a real opportunity. We have the natural resources, we have the technology, we still have in maritime a world-leading industry, so it makes quite a strong argument to Government and industry to continue to support the journey and help us unlock its full potential.”
