UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Along the well-to-wake value chain from upstream processes associated with fuels production and supply, components manufacture, and ships construction to the operation of ports and vessels, the UK domestic and international shipping produced 5.9 Mt CO2eq and 13.8 Mt CO2eq, respectively in 2017, totalling 3.4% of the UK's overall greenhouse gas emissions. The sector contributes significantly to air pollution challenges with emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matters, harming human health and the environment particularly in coastal areas.
The annual global market for maritime emission reduction technologies could reach $15 billion by 2050. This provides substantial economic opportunities for the UK. The Department for Transport's Clean Maritime Plan provides a route map for action on infrastructure, economics, regulation, and innovation that covers high technology readiness level (TRL 3-7). There is a genuine opportunity to explore fundamental research and go beyond conventional marine engineering and naval architecture and exploit the UK's world-leading cross-sectoral fundamental research expertise on hydrodynamics, fuels, combustion, electric machines and power electronics, batteries and fuel cells, energy systems, digitization, management, finance, logistics, safety engineering, etc. The proposed UK-MaRes Hub is a multidisciplinary research consortium and will conduct interdisciplinary research focussed on delivering disruptive solutions which have tangible potential to transform existing practice and reach a zero-carbon future by 2050.
The challenges faced by UK maritime activity and their solutions are generally common but when deployed locally, they are bespoke due to the specifics of the port, the vessels they support, and the dependencies on their supply chains. Implementation will be heavily dependent on the local community, existing infrastructure, as well as opportunities and constraints related to the supply, distribution, storage and bunkering of alternative fuels, in decarbonising port handling facilities and cold-ironing, with the integration of renewable energy, reducing air pollution, to land-use and increased capacity and capability, and the local development of skills.
The types of vessels and the cargoes handled through UK ports varies and are related to several factors, such as geographical location, regional industrial and business activity and wider transport links. Therefore, UK-MaRes Hub aims to feed into a clean maritime strategy that can adapt to place-based challenges and provide targeted technical and socio-economic interventions through a novel Co-innovation Methodology. This will bring together Research Exploration themes/work packages and Responsive Research Fund project activity into focus on port-centric scenarios and assess possibilities to innovate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, 2040 and 2050 timeframes, sharing best practice across the whole maritime ecosystem.
A diverse, and inclusive Clean Maritime Network+ will ensure wider dissemination and knowledge take-up to achieve greater impact across UK ports and other maritime activity. The Network+ will have coordinated regional activity in South-West, Southern, London, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, Midlands, North-West, North-East, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. An already established Clean Maritime Research Partnership has vibrant academic, industrial, and civic stakeholder members from across the UK. UK-MaRes Hub will establish a Clean Maritime Policy Unit to provide expert advice and quantitative evidence to enable rapid decarbonisation of the maritime sector. It will ensure that the UK-MaRes Hub is engaging with policymakers at all stages of the hub activities.
The annual global market for maritime emission reduction technologies could reach $15 billion by 2050. This provides substantial economic opportunities for the UK. The Department for Transport's Clean Maritime Plan provides a route map for action on infrastructure, economics, regulation, and innovation that covers high technology readiness level (TRL 3-7). There is a genuine opportunity to explore fundamental research and go beyond conventional marine engineering and naval architecture and exploit the UK's world-leading cross-sectoral fundamental research expertise on hydrodynamics, fuels, combustion, electric machines and power electronics, batteries and fuel cells, energy systems, digitization, management, finance, logistics, safety engineering, etc. The proposed UK-MaRes Hub is a multidisciplinary research consortium and will conduct interdisciplinary research focussed on delivering disruptive solutions which have tangible potential to transform existing practice and reach a zero-carbon future by 2050.
The challenges faced by UK maritime activity and their solutions are generally common but when deployed locally, they are bespoke due to the specifics of the port, the vessels they support, and the dependencies on their supply chains. Implementation will be heavily dependent on the local community, existing infrastructure, as well as opportunities and constraints related to the supply, distribution, storage and bunkering of alternative fuels, in decarbonising port handling facilities and cold-ironing, with the integration of renewable energy, reducing air pollution, to land-use and increased capacity and capability, and the local development of skills.
The types of vessels and the cargoes handled through UK ports varies and are related to several factors, such as geographical location, regional industrial and business activity and wider transport links. Therefore, UK-MaRes Hub aims to feed into a clean maritime strategy that can adapt to place-based challenges and provide targeted technical and socio-economic interventions through a novel Co-innovation Methodology. This will bring together Research Exploration themes/work packages and Responsive Research Fund project activity into focus on port-centric scenarios and assess possibilities to innovate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, 2040 and 2050 timeframes, sharing best practice across the whole maritime ecosystem.
A diverse, and inclusive Clean Maritime Network+ will ensure wider dissemination and knowledge take-up to achieve greater impact across UK ports and other maritime activity. The Network+ will have coordinated regional activity in South-West, Southern, London, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, Midlands, North-West, North-East, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. An already established Clean Maritime Research Partnership has vibrant academic, industrial, and civic stakeholder members from across the UK. UK-MaRes Hub will establish a Clean Maritime Policy Unit to provide expert advice and quantitative evidence to enable rapid decarbonisation of the maritime sector. It will ensure that the UK-MaRes Hub is engaging with policymakers at all stages of the hub activities.
Organisations
- Durham University (Lead Research Organisation)
- MAHLE Powertrain Ltd (Project Partner)
- Global Ship Lease, Inc. c/o Technomar (Project Partner)
- Hyundai Motors Company (Project Partner)
- MOL (Europe Africa) Limited (Project Partner)
- Hadland Maritime Limited (Project Partner)
- Stellar Systems (Project Partner)
- Kongsberg Group (Project Partner)
- Ulemco (Project Partner)
- Calculus Energy Limited (Project Partner)
- Peel Ports Group (Project Partner)
- Hellenic Marine Environment Protection A (Project Partner)
- PD Ports (Project Partner)
- Infineum UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Prime Tanker Management Inc. (Project Partner)
- Rux Energy (Project Partner)
- Cowes Harbour Commission (Project Partner)
- University of South-Eastern Norway (Project Partner)
- University of Cantabria (Project Partner)
- CEA (Atomic Energy Commission) (France) (Project Partner)
- Ceres Power Ltd (Project Partner)
- Spot Ship (Project Partner)
- University of Rome I (La Sapienza) (Project Partner)
- Repsol A.S. (Project Partner)
- ABL London Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Freeport East (Project Partner)
- BMT Limited (Project Partner)
- Hynamics (Project Partner)
- Port of Felixstowe (Project Partner)
- Anemoi (Project Partner)
- King Abdulaziz University (Project Partner)
- Midlands Engine Partnership (Project Partner)
- Mersey Maritime Limited (Project Partner)
- Clean Air Power GT Ltd (Project Partner)
- COSCO shipping lines (UK) limited (Project Partner)
- Persee (Project Partner)
- Suttons International Ltd (Project Partner)
- Teesside Freeport (Project Partner)
- ZIZO (Project Partner)
- Alpha Marine Consulting (Project Partner)
- Portsmouth International Port (Project Partner)
- ImarEST (Project Partner)
- Dover Harbour Board (DHB) (Project Partner)
- University of Porto (Project Partner)
- University of Zagreb (Project Partner)
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Project Partner)
- Tees Valley Combined Authority (Project Partner)
- Sustainable Shipping lnitiative (SSI) (Project Partner)
- Delft University of Technology (Project Partner)
- SHARP Composites (Project Partner)
- Fincantieri (Project Partner)
- INERIS (Project Partner)
- Skeleton Technologies (Project Partner)
- Kellas Midstream (Project Partner)
- Antipollution and V Group (Project Partner)
- Soil Machine Dynamics UK (Project Partner)
- Connected Places Catapult (Project Partner)
- Teignbridge Propellers (Services) Ltd (Project Partner)
- Auriga Energy Ltd (Project Partner)
- Ballard Power Systems Europe (Project Partner)
- Midlands Innovation (Project Partner)
- Innospec Environmental Ltd (Project Partner)
- Caledonian Maritime Assests Ltd (Project Partner)
- Orsted (Project Partner)
- Toyota Technological Institute (Project Partner)
- DFDS A/S (Project Partner)
- Carisbrooke Shipping (Project Partner)
- ZEM Fuel Systems Ltd. (Project Partner)
- ASG Superconductors SpA (Project Partner)
- New Ship Evolution (Project Partner)
- Cummins Ltd (Project Partner)
- Johnson Matthey (Project Partner)
- Sustainable Maritime Solutions (Project Partner)
- Shell Global Solutions UK (Project Partner)
- Cox Powertrain (Project Partner)
Publications
Chen G
(2024)
Performance and Emission Optimisation of an Ammonia/Hydrogen Fuelled Linear Joule Engine Generator
in Energies
Ebne-Abbasi H
(2024)
CFD model of refuelling through the entire equipment of a hydrogen refuelling station
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Farrukh S
(2023)
Pathways to Decarbonization of Deep-Sea Shipping: An Aframax Case Study
in Energies
Ling-Chin J
(2024)
Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector
in Green Energy and Sustainability
MacKenzie A
(2024)
Emerging Risks in Marine Decarbonisation: Time to set sail
Sivaraman S
(2024)
Flash boiling and pressure recovery phenomenon during venting from liquid ammonia tank ullage
in Process Safety and Environmental Protection
Sivaraman, S
(2023)
Numerical simulation of pressure recovery phenomenon in liquid ammonia tank
Song D
(2024)
A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero
in Sustainability
Xie H
(2024)
Comparative analysis of CFD models to simulate temperature non-uniformity during hydrogen tank refuelling
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
| Description | Letter: Why shipowners are wary of commissioning green vessels |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A letter written by Dr Ioannis Moutzouris of City University London about the effects of the decarbonisation regulations on shipping investment was published by Financial Times on 23 January 2024 (as the top letter of the day). The letter was intended to raise awareness of this topic and the need for further research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.ft.com/content/a2189cd2-cd1e-4479-b853-2f861b1f33c2 |
| Description | Maritime Policy Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Workshop with key DfT staff to better understand their policy priorities in the maritime area and develop shared research priorities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Online news article in TradeWinds |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Online news article published on www.tradewindsnews.com entitled, "High-emission ships risk losing insurance cover, warns underwriter". This is an output from City University, London. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.tradewindsnews.com/insurance/high-emission-ships-risk-losing-insurance-cover-warns-under... |
| Description | Online presentation to Lloyds Register |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Tony Roskilly and Hub Manager, Rachel Simpson met online with Lloyds Register to present the planned research and engagement programme for the Hub, with a view to identifying opportunities to work together going forward. This has since led to Lloyd Register's involvement in other Hub activity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation as part of the Department for Transport's Clean Maritime Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Tony Roskilly, gave a presentation at part of the Department for Transport's Clean Maritime Day programme, to announce the launch of the Hub. This was an opportunity for stakeholders from across the Maritime Sector to ask questions and express an interest in getting involved in Hub activities. This has led to a range of follow-on conversations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/clean-maritime-day/ |
| Description | Presentation at Plymouth University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hub Director, Prof Tony Roskilly, gave a presentation to colleagues at Plymouth University as part of the Hub's plans to extend its academic engagement beyond the current consortium. Plymouth were keen to find out about the programme of research and ways to engage going forward. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation at the Climate and Energy Finance Conference, Hannover |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Ioannis Moutzouris at City University London gave a presentation at the Climate and Energy Finance Conference in Hannover on the effects of decarbonisation regulations on shipping investment. This sparked lively discussion and questions, with a interest from attendees to find out more. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation to IMarEST and RINA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at IMarEST's joint branch meeting with RINA to showcase the plans for the Hub, and ways in which interested parties can get involved and support. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation to the Department of Transport (Decarbonisation Regulations on Marine Insurance) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Dr Ioannis Moutzouris at City University London gave presentations to the Department of Transport on the effects of decarbonisation regulations on marine insurance. Maritime analysts and policy makers were in attendance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Shipping decarbonisation event at Bayes Business School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Ioannis Moutzouris of City University London organised and hosted a shipping decarbonisation event as part of COP28 which was attended by over 120 stakeholders and featured 6 senior industry speakers, looking at decarbonisation regulations on shipping investment. Experts discussed and verified the research findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2023/11/26/cop28-event-at-bayes-formerly-cass-decarbonising-shipping-... |
| Description | Shipping decarbonisation event at Bayes Business School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Ioannis Moutzouris of City University London organised and hosted a shipping decarbonisation event as part of COP28 which was attended by over 120 stakeholders and featured 6 senior industry speakers, looking at decarbonisation regulations on shipping investment. Experts discussed and verified the research findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2023/11/26/cop28-event-at-bayes-formerly-cass-decarbonising-shipping-... |
| Description | UK-KSA WASTE-2-ENERGY MEETING |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute's Systems Research Group, which includes representation from the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub with the purpose of accelerating UK-Saudi Arabia collaboration of Waste to Energy and Net Zero. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Web article on Decarbonising the Shipping Industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Web article was published on www.ingenia.org.uk, summarising the challenges in decarbonising the shipping industry. Contributors were the Hub's Director Prof Tony Roskilly, Simon Schofield (Chief Technology Officer, BAR Technologies) and Leonie Mercedes (Author). The article highlights the challenges in volume of trade, reliance on fossil fuels and the need for more sustainable fuels and practices. The article has generated further media enquiries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.ingenia.org.uk/articles/decarbonising-the-shipping-industry/ |
| Description | Workshop on the Role of Digitalisation on the Decarbonisation of the Maritime Sector |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A Clean Maritime Research Partnership workshop took place at Connected Places Catapult on 1 February 2024 to explore the role digitalisation can play in decarbonising the maritime industry. 60 stakeholders from industry, academia, civic bodies and policy took part in the workshop to mapping the digital landscape that will help drive forward transformation. There were presentations from Connected Places Catapult, the Digital Catapult, SeerBi and Hadland Maritime. The event provided a networking opportunity and the outputs will be used to further research in this area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |