The UK’s position as a leading maritime nation and a key player in achieving its Net Zero obligations will be apparent for the next decade.

Maritime UK and hence those whose shipping jobs depend on the industry will hope that the necessary investment will be distinct enough to keep Maritime UK’s members reassured within the industry.

The Green Recovery has been in the government’s minds recently. Progress has been achieved through the emergence of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). This was announced as part of the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. Also established was UK-SHORE which has received backing from the Department of Transport’s Decarbonisation Plan.

Maritime UK are hoping to influence the debate, keeping the industry at the forefront of the government’s minds and receiving backing from Ministers in the upcoming Parliamentary Debate, the date of which is unconfirmed presently.

The ways and means of maintaining a presence in MPs minds, regarding the outcome of the CSR, can be achieved though knowing the address of your local MP and how to contact them, having a template email to speed up communication and a graphic to post on your social media.

All of this is geared up to focus attention on the sector. The debate is being heard in The Houses of Parliament and Council Offices up and down the country.

Issues that are affecting government investment in the shipping industry include climate change, with transport being a main contributor to Green House Gases. Funds are required to help with renewal of the fleet and development of new propulsion technologies.

The sector is feeling the strain compared to construction, mining and quarrying who have all received a dedicated diesel to hydrogen fund in H2 strategy.

For the first time the UK’s emissions are being measured up against the International Emissions targets thus making for a more challenging set of figures. The UK’s sixth Carbon Budget will assess the potential for the UK reaching net zero by 2050.

There are other costs that have materialised recently and one of them is taxes for ports, some £40 million extra fuel levy, where the shipping industry has not received any exemptions, unlike some other sectors.

£20 million was however earmarked for the CMDC in the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan. It will be a one-off addition to a sector facing transition and will allow for feasibility studies and technology trials within the industry.

The government understands the need for a sector which needs to be at the forefront of the design and development of the shipbuilding fleet all over the world.

UK-SHORE or the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions has been established to help with decarbonisation plans. It is hoped that bodies like this will pave the way for the UK being a continuing major player in the shipping sector.

It is hoped that coastal hot spots will see the emergence of an employment bubble where new technologies are giving the UK some great opportunities, driving growth in these sometimes neglected communities.

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