Northern Ireland Green Seas

The United Kingdom has embarked on a journey to become a world leader in the green industrial revolution and global decarbonisation. The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition will play a crucial role in identifying the next generation of innovative technologies and solutions that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in those hard-to-reach places such as maritime operations and shipping.

The most significant challenge to achieving net zero emissions in transport sectors, including maritime, is the requirement for the rapid development of both the energy supply, and charging infrastructure, required to facilitate the global transition to zero-emission mobility.

Building on the work of the emerging Belfast Maritime Consortium cluster as a global centre of excellence for zero-emission maritime technology, the Northern Ireland Green Seas consortium partners will leverage their blended experience in Energy, Port and Vessel operations alongside Northern Ireland's manufacturing expertise and maritime heritage to identify and investigate zero-emission solutions for port and vessel operations. Various scenarios have been developed to assess the optimal decarbonisation strategy for a large freight and transport port (Belfast Harbour), a small leisure port (Bangor Marina) and a remote island harbour (Rathlin Island).

This feasibility study will consider practical real-life scenarios out to 2030 and beyond to assess the energy requirements of the different maritime locations and determine the pathways for achieving Net-Zero by 2050\. These include battery energy storage to support the charging of electrified vessels and freight handling, green hydrogen production and bunkering, shore side electrical grid infrastructure required for cold ironing and freight handling and renewable energy supply.

Another key aspect of this project is the development of cyber secure digitalisation, autonomy strategies and scenario planning, developed using a detailed digital twin process.

The main outputs of this assessment will be fully costed plan for a large-scale demonstration of the solutions, including any barriers to adoption, and an investigation into the potential reduction of lifecycle emissions of the solutions.

_"I welcome this feasibility study to place Belfast at the heart of global transition to zero emission maritime. Belfast has considerable experience in the maritime and aeronautical sectors and is building a reputation in sustainable transport technologies. The city is advancing a considerable digital twin capability, to demonstrate new solutions, and also has leading expertise in intelligent communications both of which are included in this exciting proposition"_.

Jayne Brady Belfast City Digital Innovation Commissioner