Ian TaylorThe UK’s Maritime Minister, Lord Davies, today (5 April) announced the start of the bidding process for the £1.5 million funding available as part of the fifth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC5).
The CMDC programme aims to establish zero emission shipping routes to and from the UK and the fifth round of funding will support feasibility studies focused on accelerating the development of ‘green corridors’ connecting the UK to CMDC partner countries, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Ireland.
In a statement issued today, the Department for Transport (DfT) said: ‘These studies will map out infrastructure required along the routes to enable vessels to access green fuels and power charging systems, as well as look at further regulations required to push the industry towards decarbonisation. Importantly, it aims to achieve our net zero commitments without imposing additional costs to taxpayers by finding ways to adapt the costs of green fuels, to bring down the costs in future.’
Lord Davies commented: ‘By investing in zero emission routes to and from the UK, we are not only creating a greener sector, but are also laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability, creating jobs and bolstering economic growth.
‘This is a major milestone in UK’s pledge to keep our waters clean – with this funding aiming to support the creation of international zero emission routes by the mid-2020s.’
Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, the Minister of Climate and Environment in Norway (one of the CMDC partner countries), said: ‘The UK and Norway have longstanding relations on shipping, and with the initiative taken by the UK on the Clydebank Declaration in 2021, we have cooperated closely on the development of green shipping corridors. I am very pleased that we will now see the beginning of green shipping corridors between our two countries and look forward to contributing with support through our green shipping programme.’
The CMDC funding was first announced during London International Shipping Week in 2023.
Today’s funding comes from the wider £206 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, announced in March 2022. Ireland and the Netherlands will provide match-funding for organisations in their countries, while Denmark and Norway will provide other contributions through access to information and facilitation of collaboration.
The UK-Ireland competition will open for bids on 15 April 2024 and the UK-Netherlands competition will open for bids shortly after on 3 June 2024. Both countries will provide match funding of £430,000. The competitions and procurements will be managed by delivery partner Innovate UK.
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Rhys Berry
