Major Investment across the Maritime Sector urged for the UK to become a Global Leader in Decarbonisation.

Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK’s maritime industries, has used the start of London International Shipping Week to highlight the need for £2 billion private and public sector investment per year to deliver its target to decarbonise by 2050, and further to support an ambition to become a global leader in decarbonisation.

Securing this level of funding would help the industry decarbonise by developing green fuels, port infrastructure and new types of technology, enabling an overall reduction in carbon emissions. To successfully meet the challenges ahead and achieve these goals, collaboration between Government and industry is essential.

In a recent interview with PA news agency, Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO Maritime UK, said:

“If we are going to decarbonise, we are going to have to work with government and government is going to have to work with industry.

This is an incredible opportunity for collaboration. In the UK we have the expertise and ability to export new technology to the world.

We can build, and do build, some of the most advanced vessels in the world, so it’s not beyond the wit of man that we can dig into this and create more.

It was in our lifeblood as a nation, and it can be again with the next generation of youngsters inspiring the industry.”

London International Shipping Week (LISW), which runs from September 11, is expected to provide a showcase for green shipping, including a demonstration by a new zero-emission “flying” boat built in Belfast and developed by UK company Artemis.

Chris Shirling-Rooke, adds:

“I am beyond optimistic about the future of our sector.

So often we see decarbonisation as a real problem – and it is a real challenge. We are going to have to change.

However, it’s also a real opportunity. We have the natural resources, we have the technology, we still have in maritime a world-leading industry, so it makes quite a strong argument to Government and industry to continue to support the journey and help us unlock its full potential.”