The UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub (UK-MaRes Hub) was launched last week at London Shipping Week.

The UK-MaRes Hub, led by Durham University, aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, boats and ports and reducing the environmental impact of the maritime sector in the UK. 

The hub will focus on ports and their role in improving their environmental performance, and the associated socioeconomic benefits, including a boost to economic activity and social benefits experienced by those working in or living near the ports. This will provide a differentiator for the UK maritime industry.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper and Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbition, announced the Hub as part of a new package called the Clean Maritime Day package. They were also joined by Professor Tony Roskilly, Chair of Energy Systems in the Department of Engineering at Durham University. 

Patricia Thornley from Aston University is leading the policy unit of the UK-MaRes Hub and said: “In this project, we will focus on identifying and verifying the achievable carbon reductions from introduction of different low carbon fuels in the maritime sector and examining the environmental trade-offs.

“We will particularly work on translating the insights from that analysis for policymakers and working with them to ensure a supportive enabling environment for decarbonising the maritime sector” she added.  

Baroness Vere said: “The UK maritime sector is a world leader in green shipping practices but the journey towards a fully decarbonised sector by 2050 requires us to continue innovating, pushing forward and building on that status.

With the world’s mariners focusing on London this week, it’s fantastic to once again show how the UK continues to be a driving force in the industry through our new Clean Maritime Day package” she added.