The Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, launched by the UK Department of Transport last month, has set new goals for domestic maritime emissions, aiming for zero fuel lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, with at least a 30% reduction by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2040, against a 2008 baseline.  

This will see the UK match the highest level of goals agreed by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) 2023 strategy on the reduction of GHGs from ships.  

The new strategy is the successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan, which was set out before the 2050 net zero target became law.  

Under the strategy, the shipping sector will be brought under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). This will see operators of larger vessels such as tankers and cruise liners – which cause the most pollution – pay more for their GHGs.

Furthermore, the strategy sets out plans to increase the use of clean fuels and technologies, such as hydrogen or ammonia. It also sets out a strategic vision for vessel electrification, including investment in supporting infrastructure at ports.

In addition to this, the strategy outlines a plan to support the IMO with short-term measures to further incentivise energy efficiency, effective from 2026 onwards. A Maritime Innovation Hub will also be created to encourage innovation and R&D.  

The government will also aim to develop at least one international green corridor – a designated route between ports where zero emission shipping solutions are implemented – from the UK by the end of 2027–2028, and three domestic green corridors in the same timeframe.

The government will continue to deliver UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) funding through the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, to support zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels and technology, shoreside infrastructure and the wider supply chain. According to the government, £206mn of UK SHORE funding has already supported over 300 organisations in the UK and secured over £100mn of private investment.

Maritime Minister Mike Kane commented: ‘Working together with industry and international partners, we are driving down emissions in every corner of the economy. As part of our Plan for Change, we’re committed to making the UK a green energy superpower and our Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy will help us build a cleaner, more resilient maritime nation.’

In addition, the government also announced two calls for evidence to help inform the development of measures needed to reduce emissions at berth, the first to understand future energy demand at ports and the second looking at how to decarbonise smaller vessels.  

This first will look at the role of ports in enabling shipping to decarbonise and reduce shipping’s wider environmental impacts. It aims to capture evidence on the future electricity demand at ports, recognising this is a shared asset to enable ports, shipping and port tenants to decarbonise and capture new commercial and economic opportunities.  

The second will provide the government with information and data to help decarbonise and reduce the environmental impacts of vessels under 400 gross tonnage. It asks about the costs of these vessels, when the new technologies will be ready, what infrastructure will be required and where these vessels are likely to be built.  

In 2019, the UK domestic maritime sector produced around 8mn tonnes of CO₂e, on a fuel lifecycle basis. While maritime emissions have declined by 30% since 1990, domestic and international shipping still accounted for 7.9% of total UK transport emissions in 2022.  

Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive, British Ports Association, said the announcement was an opportunity for government and industry to ‘work together on shared goals’. Anna Krajinska, Director at environmental NGO Transport & Environment welcomed the commitment but warned targets must be matched by ‘robust policy measures’.

World’s first green hydrogen shore power demonstrator  

In other news, a green hydrogen shore power demonstrator – thought to be a world first – has been showcased at the Port of Leith in Scotland.  

The project integrates innovative water treatment, waste heat utilisation and hydrogen production to provide clean shore power to vessels when berthed in port.

Unveiled last month by Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, together with partners Forth Ports, Targe Towing, Logan Energy, PlusZero and Waterwhelm, the project sees large tugs at the Port of Leith now powered by green hydrogen when tied up.

Using water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm, fresh re-use water is made from effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment works without compromising local water supplies.  

Logan Energy’s electrolyser technology splits the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen which is then used as a clean fuel for PlusZero Power’s hydrogen internal combustion engine-powered generator which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when in port.