Two new government initiatives have launched in March 2022 with the goal of roadmapping the UK’s route to net zero maritime.
The first of these is a recent refresh to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which outlines the £4 billion of government investment into galvanising and supporting shipyards and suppliers across the UK.
The second, UK SHORE, is a £206 million investment to support zero emission sailing and skilled maritime jobs.
National Shipbuilding Strategy
First published in 2017, the National Shipbuilding Strategy outlined ambitions to transform naval procurement, securing export and design contracts for British naval ships. Building on that success, the March 2022 refresh outlines the government’s further ambitions to reinvigorate the whole British shipbuilding industry.
Over £4 billion of government investment will allow new measures to be introduced, including better access to finance, vital skills-building, and funding for crucial research and development into greener vessels and infrastructure.
Designed in partnership with industry and delivered by the recently formed National Shipbuilding Office (NSO), the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh will also deliver a pipeline of more than 150 new naval and civil vessels for the UK Government and Devolved Administrations over the next 30 years. The vessels will include large warships, Border Force cutters, lighthouse vessels and the new National Flagship.
UK SHORE
As part of the new shipbuilding strategy, the government will create its first office purely dedicated to making maritime greener.
Known as the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), the new unit will be housed in the Department for Transport, building on the success of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) launched last year.
Dedicated to creating a world free from shipping emissions, UK SHORE will implement a comprehensive research and development programme, including a multi-year CMDC, and will work in partnership with industry to tackle supply and demand issues with shipbuilding and help build greener vessels – from cruises to tankers and leisure boats.
UK SHORE will also help develop the infrastructure to enable zero emission technologies and the physical infrastructure needed to power these new-age vessels. The programme will include a multitude of technologies including hydrogen, electric and ammonia, and this funding will place the UK among the leading nations in the development of new and innovative vessels and port infrastructure, supporting its rich maritime industry and coastal communities.