The UK’s race to decarbonise the maritime sector has been given another vital boost, with £60 million in government funding distributed to innovative companies nationwide developing futuristic green technology.
For the first time, the UK government is funding the development of new clean maritime technology across a 2-year period. Companies in 12 regions around the UK will benefit from the cash, generating highly skilled jobs across the nation and positioning the UK as a world leader in green solutions.
The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, visited Artemis Technologies in Belfast on Tuesday 14 February to see some of the tech in action.
Using technologies adapted from the worlds of high-performance yacht racing, motorsports and aerospace, the company is developing vessels that effectively ‘fly’ above the water surface. The vessels produce zero emissions when foiling and offer energy savings of up to 90% resulting in significantly lower operating and maintenance costs.
Artemis Technologies will now use the funding to help take their invention to the seas on a commercial scale.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
"Our maritime sector imports 95% of goods into the UK and contributes £116 billion to our economy – more than both aviation and rail combined.
"With growing the economy one of the government’s top priorities, we must continue our efforts to ensure the UK remains a pioneer in cutting-edge clean maritime solutions.
"The funding we’re awarding today will help to do just that, bringing emission-free concepts to life and fuelling innovation."
Building on the launch of the company’s 100% electric foiling workboat in 2022, the the Belfast company is working on a ferry powered by the patented Artemis eFoiler® electric propulsion system. The technology enables the vessel to fly above the water, reducing fuel costs by up to 85% compared with conventional high-speed diesel ferries.
By foiling over the waves at up to 38 knots, the ferry will produce minimal wake, allowing it to operate at high-speed close-to-shore or within busy waterways, significantly reducing journey time on traditionally speed-restricted routes and minimising disruption to shorelines.
The benefits of a foiling vessel also stretch to those onboard, with passengers and crew enjoying a far more comfortable ride, mitigating the effects of sea sickness often associated with offshore ferry routes.
The foiling ferry will be incredibly spacious and fully accessible with a range of facilities on board including bike racks, cabin bag and overhead storage, baby changing facilities, and charging points, offering a pathway to greener maritime transport systems around the world.
The vessels will also feature a unique high-speed collision avoidance system developed with ECIT, part of Queen’s University Belfast. The system will ensure the safety of operations in port and close to shore by safely diverting the ferry on an altered path away from sea life, wildlife, debris and other in-water objects that might otherwise be obscured from view.
The latest funding announced by the UK Government comes from the third round of the government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3), which focuses on developing a range of clean maritime technologies including hydrogen, ammonia, electric and wind power.
During the 2-year investment period, successful companies will be required to demonstrate that their projects will work in the real world, helping them to progress towards becoming an everyday reality.
CEO at Artemis Technologies Dr Iain Percy OBE said:
"The clean maritime demonstration competition is key to unlocking those innovations across the region that will transport the UK towards a more sustainable future and we are thrilled that it has once again recognised the integral role Artemis Technologies can play.
"With this latest round of funding, we are emboldened to advance our green technology projects, develop world-leading clean vessels for our seas, and continue on our mission to lead the decarbonisation of maritime."