Commenting on the UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy, Maritime UK Chair, Sarah Kenny OBE, said:

“Government plans for a hydrogen economy will help steer our ships in a green direction, but won’t take us the full distance.

“While it could be a solution for long sea vessels, and could produce ammonia – a zero emissions fuel easy to transport and store over long distances – other technologies will be needed with co-investment from industry and government, for hydrogen won’t decarbonise maritime alone.

“This includes shore power, which no country has introduced without government support. It’s a proven technology which could cut emissions in ports today and charge tomorrow’s Teslas of the seas, but we need £200million to build a viable network across the coast.

“This is a step in the right direction from government but more co-investment in the industry will be needed for maritime – and by extension, the country – to reach Net Zero. This is why we are calling for £1billion to kickstart a world-leading decarbonisation programme as part of the government’s upcoming Spending Review this Autumn.”