The Solent’s world-class maritime sector is celebrating a major win as it secures a significant share of Government funding to drive forward the decarbonisation of maritime and the development of green fuels.
In the latest round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6), 27 Solent-based organisations, including a number or Maritime Solent Partners, have been awarded an impressive £2.5m grant towards £17.5m of total projects value across 26 projects, reinforcing the region’s position at the forefront of maritime innovation. These projects will explore cutting-edge renewable energy technologies and future fuels such as electric vessels, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen; optimisation of machine learning and AI to maximise efficiency, as well as the UK’s first future fuels training framework.
The funding forms part of a wider £30 million national investment aimed at making shipping and sea travel greener, boosting coastal economies, and supporting high-quality jobs and skills across the UK.
Stuart Baker, Managing Director of Maritime Solent, welcomed the announcement, saying: “Our region has an exceptional track record in maritime innovation and green technologies, and organisations based here have once again been incredibly successful in demonstrating why they are leading the way. In the long-term, the green technologies that emerge from the Solent’s world-leading maritime cluster will ensure that the region and the UK retain a strategic position on the global maritime stage.”
This funding not only accelerates the UK’s journey to becoming a clean energy superpower but also revitalises coastal communities by creating new economic opportunities and supporting the development of future-ready skills.
Working closely with Innovate UK and key partners, Maritime Solent has supported its network to explore opportunities and submit strong bids to CMDC6. The result is a powerful demonstration of regional collaboration and ambition.
Winning organisations from the Solent region include:
- Ad Hoc Marine Designs
- Associated British Ports
- Barter For Things Ltd
- Buckley Yacht Design Ltd
- Cape Horn Engineering Ltd
- Carisbrook Shipping
- Chartwell Marine Ltd
- Cowes Harbour Commission
- Ecomar Propulsion Ltd
- Houlder Ltd
- Lloyds Register EMEA
- Marine South East
- Optima Projects Ltd
- Portsmouth International Port
- RAD Propulsion
- Red Funnel
- Seacat Services Ltd
- Serco
- Solead Energy Ltd
- Southampton Solent University
- Southern Spars (UK) Ltd
- TRUMPF Laser UK Ltd
- University of Southampton
- Vestas Offshore Wind UK Ltd
- Wärtsilä UK Ltd
- Wightlink Ltd
- WSW Marine Ltd
Read the Government press release here.