Northern Ireland's maritime businesses are being encouraged to explore a substantial UK Government funding stream aimed at driving innovation and decarbonisation within the sector. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is highlighting the opportunities available through a £271 million investment designed to develop green vessel fuels and advance sustainable shipping technologies.

An industry event is scheduled for today, 12 May, in Belfast to provide local firms with detailed information on how to access these resources. Organised by Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) and hosted by A&L Goodbody, the session allows businesses to engage directly with the UK Department for Transport and Innovate UK Business Connect.

The funding was originally announced in March via the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) research programme. It represents a significant pillar of the UK's strategy to reduce maritime emissions and support coastal communities.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir commented on the importance of the initiative: "This investment has the potential to support many skilled jobs and deliver significant benefits for shipping and coastal communities. I strongly welcome the UK Government's announcement on this substantial funding opportunity and would encourage local maritime businesses to engage with this event to understand the opportunities available."

-- Advertisement --

The Minister further emphasised how the fund aligns with broader regional environmental goals, stating: "This funding opportunity represents a real and meaningful step in supporting the maritime sector to reduce its emissions and reap the benefits of decarbonisation. This should in turn assist in the delivery of our collective climate ambition, building on the publication of Northern Ireland's Climate Adaptation Programme, progress on the draft Climate Action Plan along with work to establish a Just Transition Commission for Northern Ireland. My department is keen to see Northern Ireland businesses benefit fully from these developments."

The programme focuses on the transition to a low-carbon future, seeking to turn environmental challenges into economic growth for the regional supply chain and the wider maritime industry.

The creation of the SHORE research fund aligns with the passage of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, which brings the UK domestic maritime sector within scope of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) from 1 July 2026.

Register for the May 12 Belfast event

The funding has been awarded through the seventh round of the clean maritime demonstration competition (CMDC) and the second round of zero emissions vessels and infrastructure (ZEVI) fund, and will give successful companies in the maritime sector, including freight, passenger, commercial, leisure and fishing vessels, grants to help decarbonise by developing clean maritime fuels and infrastructure.