EMEA News
UK Commits More Than £6 Million in Funding Toward Zero-Emissions Maritime Sector
The UK government has announced that it has committed more than £6 million ($7.92 million) in funding to support the development and use of innovative technologies and fuels to reduce maritime emissions and foster a zero-emissions sector.
"The UK is home to a wealth of expertise in maritime technology, but more needs to be done to move this sector towards a zero emissions world," said Maritime Minister John Hayes.
"That’s why this government is committed to backing vital technology to meet this goal, and we are looking to deepen our technical expertise to further support industry."
Specifically, the funding will support trials of innovative energy saving technology, including propellers, onboard waste heat recovery systems, and rotor sails.
"The UK is playing a leading role in implementing binding energy efficiency targets for shipping, which we helped secure global agreement on in 2011. By 2025, the majority of new ships will be expected to be 30 percent more efficient than current designs," said the government in a statement Thursday.
In addition to funding for the trials, the government will also provide technical support through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for various projects, including an assessment of the application of hydrogen fuel cells for ferries in the UK.
Such support will also be available to other projects, including Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries’ (CalMac's) work toward employing hybrid vessels within its fleet.
As Ship & Bunker has reported, the company's newbuild dual-fuel ferry - the first of two - is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018, followed a few months later by the second vessel.
