The government has kicked off a bidding process for £1.5m worth of funding to establish zero-emission shipping routes to and from the UK.
The bidding is the latest instalment of the goverment’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), which awards projects developing sustainable maritime technology such as electric hydrogen, and wind-powered tech.
The latest round of the competition will look to map out necessary infrastructure, costs and regulatory measures key for the decarbonisation of shipping routes.
If successful, there will be zero-emission shipping routes between the UK, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Ireland.
This pot aims to develop cleaner journeys for passengers and freight, create new jobs and boost the economy.
The fifth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC5) will support feasibility studies focused on accelerating the development of “green corridors”, the government said.
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These studies will map out the infrastructure required along the routes to enable vessels to access green fuels and power charging systems, as well as look at further regulations required to push the industry towards decarbonisation.
Maritime Minister Lord Davies said: “By investing in zero-emission routes to and from the UK, we are not only creating a greener sector, but are also laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability, creating jobs and bolstering economic growth.
“This is a major milestone in UK’s pledge to keep our waters clean – with this funding aiming to support the creation of international zero emission routes by the mid-2020s.”
Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, minister of climate and environment, Norway, said: “The UK and Norway have longstanding relations on shipping, and with the initiative taken by the UK on the Clydebank Declaration in 2021, we have cooperated closely on the development of green shipping corridors. I am very pleased that we will now see the beginning of green shipping corridors between our two countries and look forward to contributing with support through our Green Shipping Programme.”
The government announced details of the previous CMDC round in January this year.
