Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure competition

Funding to develop, deploy and operate clean maritime solutions for three years in a real-world environment.

UK SHORE and Innovate UK are delivering £77 million in match-funding to support high TRL research in close to commercial clean maritime technology. Funding will be made available to cover the construction and set-up of projects until March 2025, with project partners covering all costs of demonstrating in an operational environment until March 2028. This multi-year operating period will provide valuable data, demonstrating the efficacy of zero emission solutions in a real-world environment and across a range of operational states. The outputs of these projects will help to develop the wider clean maritime sector as well as inform future policy and regulatory decisions.

All projects must include on-vessel technology and shoreside infrastructure, with project partners from ports or infrastructure owners and operators and vessel owners and operators. This ensures guaranteed supply and demand over the lifetime of projects.

The aim of this competition is to fund:

• 100 per cent battery electric vessels
• alternative fuel vessels
• vessel energy efficiency technology, such as wind assistance
• vessel charging infrastructure
• shore power and corresponding vessel technology
• alternative fuel refuelling infrastructure for vessels

Your project can focus on one or more of the following:

• domestic green corridors
• ferry services, including between islands and on inland waterways

Your project’s total costs must be between £3 million and £40 million. The total grant cannot exceed £20 million. The competition is funding multi year demonstrations across three strands. 

Strand 1: Battery electric vessels and charging infrastructure

Your project must focus on 100 per cent battery electric vessels and their corresponding infrastructure. The infrastructure must be able to charge the vessels for the requirements of their operational activities.

Find out more about Strand 1 and how to apply.

Strand 2: Shore power technologies, shore-side and vessel-side

Your project must focus on shore power connectable vessels and shore power infrastructure. The infrastructure must be for providing power to vessels whilst moored, allowing vessels to turn off their conventional power supply.

Find out more about Strand 2 and how to apply.

Strand 3: Alternative fuel vessels and refuelling infrastructure

Your project must focus on alternative fuel vessels and their corresponding infrastructure. Alternative fuel electric hybrid vessels are within scope. “Alternative fuels” in this competition refers to fossil fuel alternatives such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. The infrastructure must be able to refuel the vessels for the requirements of their operational activities.

Find out more about Strand 3 and how to apply.

First published 7 February 2023