Speaking yesterday (14 September) at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s alternative fuels event during London International Shipping Week, UK Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said that the government ‘is hoping to publish [the country’s revised Clean Maritime Plan] by the end of the year.’
While this comment could perhaps be interpreted as an ambition rather than a definitive commitment to a firm publication timeline, the Minister told delegates that ‘whatever we do domestically has to align with the IMO.’
As shipping’s energy transition progresses, ‘it’s going to become more costly [for the industry] to be dirty,’ she said. The sector must be incentivised to change, and those companies that do press ahead with decarbonisation will gain a competitive advantage, the Minister emphasised.
‘Customers will also be making demands of you,’ she said.
The Minister also referenced the launch of the Clean Maritime Research hub which was announced yesterday. Supported by £7.4 million of government funding under the UK SHORE programme, the initiative is headed by the University of Durham and involves 13 UK universities which will be working with industry on clean shipping projects. Baroness Vere also flagged up a £1.5 million
