The UK Government Invests Nearly $37 Million in Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition
The UK government has announced the launch of the sixth round of its Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, aiming to allocate a total of almost $37 million to drive decarbonization efforts in the maritime industry. This initiative is geared towards supporting the development of clean maritime technologies such as electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power, and more.
Mike Biddle, Executive Director of Net Zero at Innovate UK, emphasized the significance of CMDC round 6 as a unique opportunity for UK innovators to participate in a globally recognized maritime transport R&D grant funding program. The competition focuses on addressing the pressing issue of decarbonization within the industry and encourages participation from various stakeholders in the maritime transport sector and beyond, with a focus on innovation across different dimensions.
The program encourages innovators to collaborate with partners from diverse sectors, including operational maritime companies, to showcase novel approaches and technologies. It underscores the power of collaboration between leading British firms and supports the transformation of innovative concepts into tangible solutions through the development of working demonstrations of technologies.
With the sixth round of funding, the UK government has now invested a total of £159 million ($195 million) to accelerate green maritime projects and stimulate job creation. The upcoming round, announced on January 16, will officially open on January 24, with applications due by April 16, 2025. Previous rounds have already benefitted over 300 organizations.
Maritime Minister Mike Kane expressed pride in the funding’s role in fostering economic growth, job creation, and the transition towards zero-emission shipping in the UK. Notable projects from previous rounds include the establishment of electric chargepoint networks in South West ports, the largest retrofit of a hydrogen research vessel in Wales, and the implementation of a carbon capture system on a vessel.
During a visit to Hull on January 15, the Maritime Minister observed the construction of the first AirWing by GT Wings, which received a £225,000 (US$275,000) grant from the Department for Transport. Developed in partnership with the University of Bath and Carisbrooke Shipping, the AirWing is set to be demonstrated in the first quarter of 2025. This innovative foil, constructed from composite materials, promises up to a 30 percent fuel savings without compromising cargo operations and will be initially installed on a Carisbrooke Shipping general cargo vessel.