Coastal communities are set to receive more than £1.1bn in government and industry funding for the marine sector and engineering, green technology and the construction sectors.
The funding includes £700m of private investment for major UK ports and leading industry players, as well as £448m of public investment to reduce emissions from UK shipping.
The cash will form part of the UK SHORE programme, which supports the research and development of new clean maritime technologies and fuels, including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power and more.
Previous projects have included electric chargepoints at UK ports for vessels developed by Aqua Superpower and smart technology developed by Waterwhelm which can produce hydrogen from recycled wastewater to generate electricity.
UK SHORE funding has delivered £240m to over 200 projects across the country, some of which are now in active use and have supported 750 jobs so far.
This new funding will be allocated to projects in due course, the government said.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:
“Today’s £1.1 billion boost for the maritime industry will supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal towns and cities – making the UK one of the best places in the world to invest.
“We’re committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping – steering us towards net zero by 2050 and cementing Britain’s place as a clean energy superpower through our Plan for Change.”
David McGinley, Group Chief Executive Officer at APCL Group, said:
“APCL is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the MoD, the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with the Group supporting 100% of the RFA fleet. We will also showcase APCL Cammell Laird’s brand new state of the art shore to ship power technology, a £7 million project that has been part-funded by a £3.5 million grant from the Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4).
“Another success story includes Aqua Superpower, which, through almost £6 million UK SHORE funding, has successfully installed a network of chargepoints across the South Coast of England and London. The project estimates the network could reduce emissions by up to 2,800 tonnes of CO2 per year with 8 75 kW chargers in full operation.”
Claudio Veritiero, CEO, Peel Ports Group, said:
“Peel Ports Group has invested £1.5 billion over the past decade, future-proofing our operations, strengthening vital supply chains and creating hundreds of jobs across the regions where we operate.
“Looking ahead, we plan to invest a further £1 billion over the next 5 years, with projects already underway that include new port-centric warehousing, steel and metals facilities and major upgrades at key ports.”
Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne, said:
“Accelerating offshore wind, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing is a national priority and requires decisive action. Boosted by Industrial Strategy Zone status, our 230-acre North-side expansion to the Tyne clean energy park will help the UK execute its 2030 clean power target.”
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine, said:
“We are investing over £250 million in the UK over the next 5 years to accelerate the rollout of shore power infrastructure – a game-changer for both the maritime industry and our coastal communities.
“This investment is more than just ports and cables – it’s about people and prosperity. The overall programme is expected to create over 2,000 skilled jobs, particularly within local port communities. These are real jobs with long-term benefits, embedded in regions that need investment the most. We stand ready to work closely with government to accelerate this innovation in maritime energy transition even further.”
