Powering the transition: how DfT-funded projects are steering the maritime sector toward net zero

As the maritime sector accelerates its journey toward decarbonisation, the UK is emerging as a global leader in clean shipping innovation. Central to this momentum is the Department for Transport’s (DfT) UK SHORE programme, which has funded research and development through initiatives such as the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). These projects are not only advancing technology but also reshaping the operational and strategic landscape of ports and shipping. The recent UK Government announcement, on 15 September 2025, to provide a further £448 million in funding, which is in addition to the existing UK SHORE spend of £236 million, will support even greater reductions in GHG emissions from UK shipping.

To celebrate Clean Maritime Day 2025, Tim Scarbrough, Director of Maritime for Ricardo, reflects on the breadth of DfT-funded projects Ricardo has been involved in: from hydrogen-powered ferries in Orkney, to digital planning tools in Shetland, and green shipping corridors connecting the UK with Ireland and the Netherlands. Together, they offer a compelling blueprint for the sector’s energy transition.

The projects

Hydrogen horizons: HIMET in Orkney

The HIMET (Hydrogen in an Integrated Maritime Energy Transition) project, backed by £1.6 million in CMDC Round 1 funding, is a standout example of regional innovation with national relevance. Led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Hydrogen and supported by a UK-wide consortium including Ricardo and Schneider Electric, HIMET set out to decarbonise ferry services and port operations in the Orkney Islands.

The project delivered a suite of hydrogen-based technologies: a hybrid hydrogen/solar microgrid for shore power, hydrogen combustion engines, on-board storage and fuel cells for auxiliary power. Despite global supply chain delays, all components were successfully developed, with testing confirming their potential to transform local maritime operations.

Crucially, HIMET also engaged with regulatory stakeholders and the wider industry with a view to replicating its model across the UK. It’s a clear signal that hydrogen, when integrated thoughtfully, can be a cornerstone of maritime decarbonisation.

Digital decarbonisation: NEPTUNE in Shetland

In the Shetland Islands, the NEPTUNE project took a different approach – digital rather than physical. With £500,000 in CMDC funding also from Round 1, the University of Strathclyde, Ricardo and partners developed a decision-support tool to model zero-emission maritime systems.

By creating a ‘digital twin’ of vessels and port infrastructure, NEPTUNE enables scenario testing for alternative fuels and technologies. It supports Project ORION’s ambition to turn Shetland into a green hydrogen export hub and offers a replicable model for other island and remote port communities.

The project’s emphasis on “well-to-wake” emissions analysis and infrastructure planning provides a vital bridge between ambition and implementation.

Green Shipping Corridors

Perhaps the most strategically significant strand of the UK’s maritime decarbonisation effort lies in the development of green shipping corridors. Under CMDC Round 5, Ricardo led four studies – two pre-feasibility and two feasibility – exploring zero-emission routes between the UK and Norway, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

These corridors, including the high-traffic Holyhead–Dublin and the long-haul Tyne–IJmuiden routes, serve as early testbeds for clean shipping. The studies assessed infrastructure readiness, fuel supply chains, lifecycle emissions and tested the business cases, offering a tried and tested transition roadmap suitable for replicable for other routes of similar scales.

The findings are clear: predictable routes with consistent operational profiles offer a lower barrier to decarbonisation. But the real challenge lies in infrastructure investment - particularly fuel supply and bunkering facilities. These studies are helping to quantify those costs and identify viable business models.

FASTMOVE and Floating Powerhubs

CMDC Round 6 is introducing two forward-looking feasibility studies. Project FASTMOVE, led by Ricardo and Brunel University London, is evaluating ammonia-fuelled four-stroke engines for offshore support vessels. It aims to position the UK as a leader in ammonia propulsion, with potential applications across offshore service vessels (OSV) and dredgers.

Meanwhile, the Hydrogen Floating Powerhub, led by Elire Group with Ricardo as a partner, proposes a modular, hydrogen-powered floating energy system for vessels to plug in. Designed to operate independently of the grid due to the constraints in supplying grid power for shore power, it offers a scalable solution for reducing port emissions and improving air quality – particularly in urban or space-constrained environments.

Both projects highlight the importance of flexible, modular solutions that can be deployed quickly and adapted to diverse operational contexts.

From feasibility to fabrication

The WaveMaster Zero C project, first funded by MarRI-UK, is now moving from concept to construction. Led by Bibby Marine, the initial project, for which Ricardo provided technical environmental support, evaluated the alternative energy options for service operation vessels (SOVs) for the offshore wind sector.

Congratulations to Bibby Marine in committing to decarbonisation and moving ahead to implementation: The keel of the hybrid battery-methanol vessel .has been laid, and the vessel is set to enter service in 2027.

Smart ports, smarter ships: The SPINE Project

The SPINE (Shipping and Port Interfaces in New Era) project, also supported by MarRI-UK, tackled the complex interface between ships, ports and national energy infrastructure. It brought together SMEs, research institutions, and consultancies to explore automated berthing, energy transfer and data integration for autonomous vessels.

SPINE aligns closely with the UK’s Maritime 2050 strategy, addressing both the decarbonisation and digitalisation of port operations. It’s a reminder that the energy transition is not just about fuels – it’s about systems, data and integration.

Looking ahead: hydrogen at scale

Finally, the sHYpS project, co-funded by UKRI and Horizon Europe, developed a high-power hydrogen fuel cell system for cruise ship application. Ricardo designed a 3 MW modular installation optimised for space and efficiency.

This project addressed one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: how to deliver zero-emission propulsion in space-constrained, high-demand environments. It’s a bold step toward scalable, commercially viable hydrogen shipping.

Defining success

Ricardo is currently delivering the ZEVI Technical Data Study as part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) initiative, which is driving the decarbonisation of the UK maritime sector through innovation, research, and deployment of clean technologies.  

Ricardo’s study is central to evaluating the success of these projects by collecting and analysing real-world technical data during the demonstration phase. This evidence will feed into UK SHORE’s broader evaluation programme, helping to assess the feasibility, scalability and impact of zero-emission maritime technologies. Ricardo’s methodology is designed to generate actionable insights that support policy development, guide industry investment, and enhance regulatory understanding – ultimately contributing to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions and the growth of a sustainable maritime economy.

Conclusion

From hydrogen and ammonia to digital twins and floating powerhubs, the UK’s DfT-funded maritime projects are delivering more than just prototypes – they’re delivering pathways. These initiatives are not only advancing technology but also shaping the regulatory, operational and commercial frameworks needed for a successful transition.

As the sector looks to 2030 and beyond, the insights obtained from these exploratory projects will be invaluable. The challenge now is to move from feasibility and demonstration to deployment – at scale, at speed and with the strategic clarity that only real-world experience can provide.

Note:

Project FASTMOVE is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to over 247 projects, leveraging over £107m private investment. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition and ZEVI: Battery electric vessels and charging infrastructure competitions.

Maritime is a key sector which needs to find innovative solutions to its carbon footprint in order to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. The UK SHORE programme is a key part of that work, supporting research and development to unlock an industry-led transition towards Net Zero and deliver economic growth, in line with the Government’s missions and the Plan for Change.

The UK SHORE programme consists of multiple headline projects situated all across the UK from Belfast and Orkney to Cornwall and Portsmouth and all points in between - showcasing the exceptional, highly-skilled work being delivered throughout the UK economy. UK SHORE is supporting 500 organisations, unlocking investment potential in UK technologies, at UK ports and at UK shipyards.