The UK can become an early mover in the deployment of zero emission fuel according new report published by UMAS, an independent maritime and energy decarbonisation consultancy, and Arup.

The urgency of meeting shipping’s decarbonisation targets is underscored by the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) revised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) strategy, which sets ambitious goals for zero or near-zero GHG emission energy sources to constitute between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the energy used by international shipping by 2030. This will require the simultaneous scaling up of production facilities and supply chain infrastructure in the UK, including renewable energy and green ammonia production facilities.

The research explores the potential impact and infrastructure needed to decarbonise the operations of six large ferries operating regular routes from ports in the Northeast of England, or seven container vessels operating from ports in the Solent, on the South Coast. Findings demonstrate that the potential carbon savings could align shipping in these regions with the most ambitious decarbonisation international trajectories.

The report demonstrates that the UK has an opportunity to become an early mover in the space, as well as develop critical last-mile infrastructure to help secure its position in the future fuels market.

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