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Clean Maritime Council to plot course for zero emissions from UK shipping

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The first meeting of the UK’s Green Maritime Council, which aims to plot a course for zero emissions from the country’s maritime sector, was held on Monday.

UK Minister for Maritime Nusrat Ghani opened the first meeting of the Clean Maritime Council, which comprises clean maritime experts, with an aim to develop a Clean Maritime Plan for the country.

The plan will include a strategy to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from shipping and improve the air quality around ports, waterways and sea lanes. The plan will be published next year.

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Minister Ghani said: “The UK maritime industry has a vital role in improving air quality on and around water, and Council members will be looking at innovative and practical ways to reduce emissions from the sector.

“The Clean Maritime Plan will bring new opportunities for Britain’s businesses to design, develop and sell green solutions to this global challenge.”

Read more: Revolution needed in marine propulsion to meet IMO's 50% greenhouse gas reduction target

The Department for Transport highlighted a number of initiatives already underway including hybrid ferries using battery power between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and in Scotland, cold ironing shoreside power facilities at Portsmouth (MOD), Fraserburgh and Brodick, and Innovate UK is funding for a project in Orkney to directly inject hydrogen into the fuel supply of a ferry.

Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund Europe, said: “The UK has always been a proud maritime nation and with the launch of the Clean Maritime Council, has signaled its intention to lead the way in services, technology, fuels and research into zero emissions shipping. Environmental Defense Fund Europe are proud to be part of the Council and will work with the government to ensure the UK becomes synonymous with leadership in sustainable, future-proof shipping.”

The UK is not the first country to aim for zero emissions from shipping, Norway has stated a similar aim and has been leader in developing clean maritime technology such as battery powered ferries.

Read more: Norway seeking zero emissions from shipping