£30m green maritime investment to support coastal jobs and innovation

Coastal communities across the UK are set to receive a £30m funding boost aimed at supporting clean maritime innovation and local employment.

The announcement, made today by Maritime Minister Mike Kane during a visit to Clydeport in Glasgow, comes as part of the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).

The funding will be distributed among a range of companies developing low-emission fuels and clean technologies, including ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, solar, and electric solutions.

While the Government frames the investment as part of its broader plan to position the UK as a leader in clean energy, the funding is also expected to deliver more immediate impacts for workers and businesses across coastal areas.

Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “It’s so exciting to see investment in green fuels and technologies spurring on skills, innovation and manufacturing across the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change missions to kickstart economic growth and become a clean energy superpower.

“We’ve charted a course to net zero shipping by 2050 and this £30 million will be crucial in supporting the green fuels and technologies of the future, so we can clean up sea travel and trade.”

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition has so far delivered over £136m to 142 organisations.

As part of the wider UK SHORE programme, over 300 organisations – including around 250 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – have been involved in efforts to decarbonise maritime transport. Examples of funded initiatives include electric chargepoint installations at ports like Aberdeen, electric crew transfer vessel trials at the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, and green hydrogen shore power systems at the Port of Leith.