The UK government has announced a £271 million investment to modernise shipping, cut emissions and stimulate growth in coastal communities. The funding forms part of a wider £448 million package dedicated to clean maritime innovation and is expected to help create thousands of skilled jobs while strengthening local economies.
The latest support will be distributed through the seventh round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition and the second round of the Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure fund. Grants will enable businesses to develop low-carbon fuels, upgrade port infrastructure and bring forward next-generation maritime technologies aimed at decarbonising the sector.
Previous funding rounds have already backed around 500 companies, including 250 small and medium-sized enterprises, and helped generate more than 750 jobs. Coastal centres such as Teesport, Leith, Bristol and Hull have benefited from investment designed to boost skills, productivity and regeneration.
Among earlier recipients, ACUA Ocean in Plymouth developed a remotely operated hydrogen-powered vessel for offshore data collection, while Ensemble Analytics introduced artificial intelligence systems to improve operational efficiency at the Port of Newport.
Applications for the latest competitions open in March, giving port operators and maritime firms further opportunities to secure backing for green fuel and infrastructure projects, positioning the UK to capture a growing global market in clean maritime technology.