The UK government has announced an additional £30 million investment to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, backing clean technology projects and boosting regional economies. The funding is being distributed through the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), part of the wider UK SHORE programme.
Maritime Minister Mike Kane unveiled the new investment during a visit to Clydeport in Glasgow, where he highlighted the FastRig project by Smart Green Shipping — a high-tech wing sail system developed in Scotland. “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,” Kane said. “We’ve charted a course to net zero shipping by 2050.”
FastRig, which has already received £3.3 million in a previous CMDC round, has completed successful sea trials and demonstrated potential fuel and emissions reductions of up to 40 percent. The system exemplifies the UK’s ambition to lead in clean maritime technologies.
Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping, emphasized the value of government support: “CMDC3 support enabled SGS, a Scottish-based business, to demonstrate the safety and robustness of FastRig, our Clyde-built wingsails, and to build out our digital decision-making platform, FastReach, which underpins our unique wind-as-a-service proposition.”
The CMDC is aimed at supporting sustainable propulsion solutions, including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, electric and solar-based systems. More than £136 million has already been awarded to over 142 organisations under UK SHORE, which supports innovation, research and infrastructure for cleaner shipping.
One beneficiary of the new funding is the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which is collaborating with Malin Marine Consultants to develop advanced shipbuilding techniques. “Advanced manufacturing is critical to enable companies to scale up novel solutions that deliver emissions reductions and allow the creation of new jobs in these industries of the future,” said Chris Courtney, CEO of NMIS.
Port infrastructure is also receiving support. Peel Ports will be granted £3 million to improve road access to King George V Dock in Glasgow, enhancing logistics for wind turbine component handling. “Government and industry working together to back innovation, and today’s visit reinforces how Glasgow’s maritime legacy is helping to drive the UK’s clean energy future,” said Port Director Jim McSporran.
An additional £3.85 million will go to the Clean Maritime Research Hub, a network of 13 UK universities. Part of the funding will support a new liquid hydrogen facility at Durham University, aimed at advancing fundamental research into zero-emission fuels.
The UK government views these investments as a strategic step toward achieving net-zero shipping by 2050, while supporting job creation, regional development, and technological leadership in clean maritime solutions.
