Solent shipbuilders and maritime groups secure £32m funding to drive zero emission ambitions

Maritime organisations across the Solent have secured a significant portion of the £80 million put aside by national government to support clean innovation.

The region has received £32 million of the total £80 million match funding made available as part of the Zero Emissions Vehicles and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition.

That funding will be split between several groups as they work to develop and implement projects demonstrating zero emission solutions in a real-world environment.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chair of Maritime UK Solent, congratulated those who found success in the initiative.

“We’re immensely proud of our Solent-based maritime organisations for their outstanding achievements in the ZEVI competition”, she said.

“These successes will not only accelerate the shift towards zero emission vessels, but also create new job opportunities and stimulate investment in our region.

“They reflect the Solent’s dedication to driving the maritime industry towards a sustainable and greener future.”

The Solent organisations to secure government funding are as follows:

• Lloyd’s Register EMEA, who provide classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries.

• H Taylor & Son, who are looking to deploy the world’s largest network of zero emission electric workboats.

• Aqua superPower, who plan to build a fully electric infrastructure of local charging networks for the global marine market.

• Cheetah Marine International, specialist designers and builders of power catamarans.

• Urban Truant Power, one of the UK’s leading RYA sail and power training schools.

• RAD Propulsion, developers of innovative and sustainable outboards.

• Royal Yachting Association, the national governing body for sailing, windsurfing, power boating and personal watercraft in the UK.

• Wight Shipyard Company, a shipbuilder prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility.

• Portsmouth International Port and Barter for Things Limited, whose SEA CHANGE project will see the implementation of a new ‘plug-in’ shore power system at the port.

• Ocean Infinity Innovations Limited, a collaboration between Cummins and Ocean Infinity’s Armada fleet to develop and deploy a methanol conversion kit for marine internal combustion engines.

For the Solent to secure almost half of the total funding available, said Maritime UK Solent, reinforces the region’s position as a hub for innovation and excellence in the maritime sector.

• muksolent.com

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