Maritime UK Solent welcomes government funding for local businesses including Fawley Waterside Ltd and Lymington-based Optima Projects Ltd to research green maritime technology

TWO New Forest-based businesses have been picked to benefit from a £8.3m cash injection from the government to research and develop greener maritime technologies for a more sustainable future.

Fawley Waterside Ltd, which has planning permission for a new 1,380-home town, and design company Optima Projects Ltd, which is based in Lymington, are among more than 20 businesses and organisations selected in the fourth round of the government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC4).

Nationally more than £33m of funding has been allocated to develop green technologies for ports and ships, accelerating the UK’s race to decarbonise the sector while supporting jobs in coastal communities across the country, helping grow the economy in the long-term.

Projects across 12 regions of the UK will use the money to undertake trials and feasibility studies into clean maritime technologies, including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and wind power.

It will also look at cutting shipping emissions and supporting jobs in coastal areas to boost local economies.

Maritime UK Solent (MUK Solent), which convenes the area's key maritime stakeholders to champion the area, supported its network to explore opportunities and to encourage applications for the funding.

Chair of MUK Solent, Anne-Marie Mountifield, said: "This is a wonderful boost for the Solent's maritime cluster and congratulations to those organisations that were successful in securing funding in the latest round of the government’s CMDC4 competition.

“It is a positive step towards achieving Maritime UK Solent's’ ambitions for greener shipping using cleaner maritime fuels.

“These initiatives position the UK as a leader in emerging clean maritime technologies, fostering sustainable high-skilled jobs across the country and boosting coastal economies.”

She added: “In the long-term, the green technologies that emerge from the Solent's world-leading maritime cluster will ensure that the region and the UK retain a strategic position on the global maritime stage.”

Maritime minister Lord Byron Davies, who approved the funding, said: “Unlocking a sustainable maritime sector and the economic growth it provides relies on cutting edge technology to propel it to the next level.

“The voyage to sustainability demands bold investments to not just deliver greener shipping but highly skilled jobs across the UK.”

CMDC4 builds on three successful previous rounds, which allocated more than £95m to 105 projects and leveraged over £45m private investment.

CEO of British Marine, Lesley Robinson, said the funding marked a “new era” in maritime history and added: “This significant funding is just one way in which government can help accelerate our industry’s journey to net-zero emissions.

“Many of our members are pioneering electric vessels and charging ports, in turn contributing to environmental sustainability, job creation, and the UK's levelling up agenda.

“We're excited to witness this pivotal shift towards a cleaner, more prosperous maritime future."