Navigating the Maritime Research and Innovation is a showcase of 23 pioneering projects funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) through MarRI-UK across three dedicated funding calls.
This booklet offers a concise overview of each project, highlighting innovative research and technological developments aimed at driving the decarbonisation, digitalisation, and automation of the UK maritime sector.
Alongside project summaries, the booklet captures the tangible impacts and contributions these initiatives are making towards a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable maritime future.
Introduction by Petra Wilkinson CBE, Maritime Director at DfT
Welcome to this fascinating compilation of research projects within the realms of clean maritime, technology and innovation and port sea integration in the maritime industry. I am delighted to see the array of ground-breaking initiatives that have been made possible through the collective efforts of visionary project partners.
In today’s world, the pressing need to achieve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions has never been more evident. The maritime sector plays a vital role in shaping our environmental future and, through MarRI-UK’s expertise and support, these projects have been playing an important role in the UK Maritime sector achieving our clean maritime objectives.
Within the pages of this booklet you will find an array of ventures that push the boundaries of conventional wisdom and explore new frontiers in maritime technology. From FC-BATShip, the innovative Fuel Cell-Battery Hybrid Ship by Babcock, to WaveMaster Zero C’s ambitious quest by Bibby Marine, our commitment to clean and efficient maritime operations is evident.
The research and development showcased in this booklet spans a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities, from energy-saving technology leasing models and sustainable biofuel from salmon waste research to electrification, energy storage, and flow batteries for marine applications. The projects featured in this compilation also include ambitious strides toward maritime autonomy, such as the Intelligent Ship Centre, the Global Ocean Surveillance Network, and the Argus autonomous inspection robot developed in collaboration with leading universities and research institutions.
Each project embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that is driving our maritime industry toward a more sustainable future. Through the dedication of our project partners, we are confident that these pioneering endeavours will have a transformative impact on the maritime sector and inspire further progress in the years to come.
We express our sincere gratitude to all the researchers, academics, industry experts, and organisations involved in delivering these projects. Their passion, vision, and determination have brought us to a new era in maritime innovation