Clean Maritime Technologies

Accelerating clean maritime innovation and growth
Clean maritime technologies - water pump with boats in the background
With around 80% of global trade carried by sea and 30-50% of CO2 absorbed by the ocean, the urgency to conduct maritime activity in a clean and sustainable manner is clear.
Clean Maritime refers to the activities undertaken to achieve this, such as decarbonising vessel propulsion systems or investigating methods of antifouling with lower environmental impact.
At Plymouth, a commitment to Clean Maritime permeates across a wide portfolio of research, from maritime cyber security, marine autonomy and advanced engineering to biological and environmental sciences, the arts and Big Data. Underpinned by strong government and sector collaboration, this enables us to take a transdisciplinary approach to address the challenges faced by the diverse expertise required, and drive forward critical technological advances.

Steering clean maritime innovation

The Electric Seaway: providing a charging infrastructure network for the UK's south coast

The south coast of the UK has responded to the shift in maritime expectations over the past few years, with many new businesses and technology developments for clean and green vessels.
The Electric Seaway (TES) project, with its potential to serve as a model for future networks, aims to establish a network of charging infrastructure along the south coast. This unique network will feature 10 locations equipped with charging installations, including two sites with integrated battery energy storage solutions to address grid capacity challenges.
The current and optimum future sites that will be explored through The Electric Seaway project

£5.4 million project aims to develop world’s largest network of electric workboats

The Zero Emission Network of Workboats (ZENOW), a collaboration of UK marine industry leaders, marks a major milestone in the electrification of workboats.
By deploying the world's largest network of zero-emission electric workboats, ZENOW aims to revolutionise the maritime industry by offering reliable, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional workboats.
Electric rib

First transatlantic vessel-to-grid project aims to advance marine electrification

CanUK vessel-to-grid (V2G) brings together UK and Canadian consortia to work collaboratively on the world's first V2G project.
With real-world installations in both Plymouth (UK) and Halifax (Canada), the project will showcase V2G technology in contrasting environmental and operational conditions, demonstrating the ability of e-vessels to deliver key energy services that enhance energy security.
Plymouth harbour marina

Explore our transformational projects

People

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.

Strategic Research Institutes and Research Groups