What are the main challenges and opportunities relating to the retrofit of existing vessels within the UK fleet to use alternative fuels?

Background

We aim to encourage and enable the decarbonisation of the UK maritime industry, in line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) strategy to reduce global shipping emissions.

To be progressive regulators and effectively support industry to make this transition, we need to be well-informed by high quality evidence.

Next steps

You can email the MCA ARI Team at [email protected]

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Techno-economic Feasibility Study of ClimaHtech innovative clean maritime solutions

    This techno-economic feasibility study explores the potential to bring a breakthrough clean fuel production technology to market which has the potential to deliver significant decarbonisation to the UK's maritime activit...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: CATAGEN LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically focuses on the techno-economic feasibility of using alternative fuels for maritime activities in the UK, addressing challenges and opportunities related to retrofitting existing vessels.

  • Commercial vessels - conversion to clean propulsion - Feasibility Study

    Ecomar Propulsion Ltd aim to assess the technical feasibility to develop UK manufactured green propulsion systems for rapid adoption by commercial ship operators and emergency services worldwide. The project aims to prov...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ECOMAR PROPULSION LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    While the project focuses on converting commercial vessels to clean propulsion, it does not specifically address the challenges and opportunities related to retrofitting existing vessels within the UK fleet to use alternative fuels, but it does partially align with the broader goal of decarbonization.

  • Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Project (CHAMP)

    The International Maritime Organisation's Greenhouse Gas study highlighted that maritime transportation emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas. Without...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: MATHWALL ENGINEERING LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting existing vessels to use alternative fuels within the UK fleet, aligning with the goal of decarbonising the maritime industry.

  • GLEAMS - Glycerine fuel for Engines and Marine Sustainability

    The marine industry faces the double challenge of rising fuel costs and tightening emissions standards, including carbon emissions. The GLEAMS project is developing technology with which marine vessels can achieve the ve...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: MARINE SOUTH EAST LIMITED

  • Feasibility study into decarbonisation of SOV newbuild and retrofit

    This _Feasibility study into decarbonisation of SOV newbuild and retrofit_ is a project to fully realise the ZE new-build and LE retrofit options available to mid-to-large size vessels. Building on Bibby Marine's existin...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: BIBBY MARINE SERVICES LIMITED

  • Project ZERO - Zero Emission Research and Offshore Service Vessel

    **Project Zero** will demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of achieving zero emission operations of offshore survey and research vessels (OSRVs) in the long-term, while remaining flexible to future alternat...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: O.S. ENERGY (UK) LTD

  • Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrain (CHAMP) 2

    The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Greenhouse Gas study highlighted that maritime transportation emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas. W...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: PURPLE SECTOR LIMITED

  • Commercialisation of Zero Emission Ship Propulsion system

    Ecomar Propulsion Ltd is developing UK manufactured zero emission hybrid propulsion systems for commercial ship operators. Our ambition is to remove 1 million tonnes of CO2 from the marine industry within 10 years. The ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ECOMAR PROPULSION LTD

  • Marine Energy Efficiency, Transformation and Reporting (MEETR)

    Imagine when you got into your car that you did not have an accurate measure of on-board fuel, and when you got going you had little idea of your fuel consumption or of how your driving style, road conditions and the nec...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: AZURTANE LIMITED

  • Methanol powered zero-carbon vessel design study

    The marine and aviation industries currently present some of the greatest challenges to decarbonisation and clean energy. On land, with the investment in vehicle charging, and advancement of vehicle technology and effici...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: CHARTWELL MARINE LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    Addresses challenges and opportunities of retrofitting vessels to use alternative fuels with a focus on methanol and hydrogen conversion.