Funded by: Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK)
The Maritime Hydrogen Highway is a ground-breaking development project looking at establishing a national hydrogen highway network, integrating land, sea and port.
This is a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) which will last for two years and benefit from £1.3 million towards the £2.1 million total cost. The project consortium is led by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and is comprised of academic and business partners from OS Energy, University of Strathclyde, University of Kent, HSE, ORE Catapult, University of Birmingham and Newcastle Marine Services, supported by a number of other ports, operators and trade associations.
The six project work packages cover energy diversity research, trialling hydrogen power generation for vessels based at the PLA’s Denton Wharf, establishing the business case for back hauling hydrogen into central London, ship design and health & safety requirements.
MarRI-UK launched its initial call for project proposals in November 2020. The Hydrogen Highway project was the sole one selected for funding, from 19 submissions. The funding package is looking to support development of technological innovation that integrates the land and maritime needs that enable the use of cleaner, alternative fuels.
The PLA’s sustainability commitments include a 2040 target for achieving Net Zero, development of the first evidence-based Air Quality Strategy for a UK port and development with operators, of an emissions reduction roadmap for inland waterway vessels.
Dr Ramin Raeesi, Director of the CeLSA leads the project work package focusing on the business case and economic model.