Grant Shapps says the UK must stand on its own two feet
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The winners of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition were announced today by Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport as part of Boris Johnson’s 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution. Among the winners were a green submarine and shipping charge-points powered by offshore wind. The projects were included in a list of 55 companies to receive a share of the grant.
The fully automated net positive submarine fleet, powered purely by green hydrogen, could help to reduce toxic pollution in the oceans by collecting microplastics on its pilot route between Glasgow and Belfast.
While the all-electric charge-points that are connected to offshore wind turbines will be able to power boats using 100 percent renewable energy.
This could save 131,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions a year – the same as removing over 62,000 cars from our roads.
The grant will also go towards the UK’s greenest cruise terminal at a port in Southampton, which opened in July.
Maritime Minister Robert Courts showed his support for the opening of the Horizon terminal at the Port of Southampton.
The terminal is the first of its kind which uses solar panels and clean energy shore power plug-in charging for ships.
According to the Department for Transport, the £55million facility – built in partnership between MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings – is leading the way in green cruising.
This comes as the UK sets to eliminate all emissions from shipping by 2050.
Maritime Minister Robert Courts said: ”As the cruising sector bounces back from the pandemic, it’s important that our environmental commitments are at the heart of everything we do.
“Building state-of-the-art green infrastructure at cruise terminals helps us move towards cleaner cruising, creating more spaces for these ships to dock and putting us on track to hit net zero by 2050. ”
Maritime UK chair Sarah Kenny said: “We have always been an island of maritime pioneers and today’s competition shows this will long continue with potential to rule the green waves of the future.
“Through increased investment and closer collaboration with Government our industry can rise to the challenge of steering the UK’s vessels in a green direction.
DON’T MISS
Ancient Babylonian tablet discovery rewrites Pythagoras’ claim [REVEAL]
Goodbye Galileo! EU’s satellite rival set to launch today – watch LIVE [INSIGHT]
AstraZeneca warning as Czech Republic may destroy vaccines [REPORT]
“We still have a very long way to go, but today marks an important step towards our journey to net zero.”
Mr Shapps also praised the UK’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis while showcasing the best of what Britain has to offer.
He said: “As a proud island nation built on our maritime prowess, it is only right that we lead by example when it comes to decarbonising the sector and building back greener.
“The projects announced today showcase the best of British innovation, revolutionising existing technology and infrastructure to slash emissions, create jobs and get us another step closer to our decarbonisation targets.”
Source: Read Full Article