Coastal communities across the UK are set to benefit from a new £30 million investment that will make shipping greener, create skilled jobs, and drive local economic growth under the CMDC
Announced by the Maritime Minister during a visit to Clydeport in Glasgow, the funding comes through the sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
This latest boost supports the development of clean maritime fuels and technologies, including ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, as well as electric and solar-powered systems.
Supporting innovation and local economies
The investment is a part of the UK government’s bigger push to become a clean energy superpower and meet its net-zero targets for shipping by 2050.
With maritime transport continuing to play an essential role in global trade and emissions, the CMDC is helping to drive innovation while revitalising historic shipbuilding communities.
In Glasgow, funding is supporting new technologies, such as the FastRig, a high-tech wing sail developed by Smart Green Shipping. Built locally and now successfully deployed at sea, this innovation can reduce fuel use and emissions by up to 40% annually. Efforts like this are reviving Scotland’s proud shipbuilding heritage while supporting skilled green jobs and advanced manufacturing.
The £30 million also contributes to a growing portfolio of clean maritime projects funded through UK SHORE, the government’s flagship programme for decarbonising the sector. Currently, over £136 million has been awarded through CMDC to more than 140 organisations across every UK region, with total UK SHORE funding supporting over 300 organisations, including 250 SMEs.
Diane Gilpin, Smart Green Shipping (SGS), CEO said:
“CMDC3 support enabled SGS, a Scottish based business, to demonstrate the safety and robustness of FastRig, our Clyde built wingsails, and to build out our digital decision-making platform, FastReach, which underpins our unique wind-as-a-service proposition.
“Over the last 3 years SGS has invested £7.6 million in R&D, 60% of that in Scotland. We’ve drawn upon engineering design skills in adjacent sectors like renewables and oil and gas, and digital expertise created in Scotland’s vibrant tech community.”
Green infrastructure and skills for the future
Glasgow’s King George V Docks, operated by Peel Ports Clydeport, is receiving £3 million to upgrade infrastructure to handle larger wind turbine components. This investment supports Scotland’s growing role in renewable energy supply chains and highlights how ports are transforming into green energy hubs.
In other areas, successful CMDC projects include electric charging networks at ports, green hydrogen shore power systems in Leith, and the demonstration of an electric crew transfer vessel for offshore wind farms in Aberdeen.
Advanced manufacturing is also being supported through the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, which has worked on CMDC-funded projects to improve shipbuilding efficiency and reduce emissions. These efforts aim to reduce lead times, localise production, and integrate sustainability into the core of maritime engineering.
Research and development for long-term impact
Alongside this round of CMDC funding, UK SHORE is providing £3.85 million to the Clean Maritime Research Hub, a collaboration of 13 UK universities. The funding will help continue vital research into clean maritime technologies, including the development of a liquid hydrogen facility at Durham University. This work will support the marine sector in understanding the role of hydrogen in future fuel strategies.
