The UK Government has announced that new ships ordered from 2025 must have zero-emission technologies if they are to be used on British waters.
Under plans to reduce maritime pollution set out earlier this week, the government is aiming to have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the first such commitment made by one of the G7 countries.
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The clean maritime plan forms part of the Maritime 2050 government initiative, a long-term strategy setting out the future vision of the British maritime sector that was published in January.
A consultation will take place in 2020 to discuss how the transition to zero-emission shipping can be incentivised.
In addition, a £1m competition has been launched to identify new ways of cutting maritime emissions.
The government has also issued guidance to ports to aid the development of their air quality strategies, allowing them to address their own operations and support while enhancing air quality throughout the UK.
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By GlobalDataPlans also include an additional meeting to take place next year, which will discuss increasing the uptake of low carbon fuels.
Maritime minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Our maritime sector is vital to the success of the UK’s economy, but it must do everything it can to reduce emissions, improve air quality and tackle climate change.
“The clean maritime plan sets an ambitious vision for the sector and opens up exciting opportunities for innovation. It will help make the UK a global hub for new green technologies in the maritime sector.”
The strategy has been developed by the Maritime Council, an advisory body made up of key stakeholders from the maritime sector, academia and government.
A full review of the clean maritime plan’s implementation will be carried out in 2022.
The government said a global transition to clean shipping has presented significant opportunities for economic growth.
Research carried out for the government expects the worldwide market for maritime emission reduction technologies to reach £11bn per year by 2050, potentially leading to economic benefits to the UK of £510m a year.
