Freeport East, located in the eastern region of England, has successfully secured a combined funding of £1.44 million for its Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project, which aims to revolutionize the maritime sector by introducing green hydrogen technology. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly solutions in the maritime industry.

Funding and international collaboration

The funding, comprising equal contributions from the UK's Innovate UK and Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, marks a major international collaboration in sustainable energy development. The project involves leading entities from both the UK and Australia, focusing on the development and deployment of low-carbon green hydrogen technologies for high-powered maritime workboats.

Project partners and goals

Key UK participants include Steamology, the National Composites Centre (NCC), Duodrive Limited, Chartwell Marine Limited, and The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult. Their Australian counterparts are led by Rux Energy Australia, forming a robust consortium aiming to lead the next generation of hydrogen storage systems.

The diversity of the group will help drive the adoption of green hydrogen through the unique expertise of each partner. Steamology brings to the table its zero-emission hydrogen steam turbines, while Duodrive Limited brings expertise in electric contra-rotating marine propulsion. Industry-leading CTV designer Chartwell Marine Limited is also involved, working to improve vessel efficiency.

Through the project, Freeport East and ORE Catapult will further support regional innovation, as well as building collaborations between SMEs, global industry, and academia in offshore renewable energy.

Application and impact

The HyZEM project will demonstrate practical applications of green hydrogen in maritime operations, such as bunkering technology and refuelling infrastructure, which are crucial for supporting local supply chains and sustainable maritime activities in the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.

Expectations and future outlook

This strategic investment is expected to foster regional innovation, enhance collaborations among SMEs, global industry leaders, and academic institutions, and pave the way for a new era of zero-emission technologies in the maritime sector. The success of this project could set a global benchmark for the integration of green hydrogen in maritime logistics and operations.

Industry statements

Work boats, including tugboats and crew-transfer vessels, are undergoing significant transformations as they shift towards greener technologies. Matt Candy, CEO of Steamology, highlights the collaboration with partners in the hydrogen and marine supply chain, supported by InnovateUK. Steamology is pioneering with the "world’s first zero emission hydrogen steam turbine marine propulsion," a revolutionary step 130 years after the introduction of 'Turbinia'. Meanwhile, other key players such as Marcus Walls-Bruck from the National Composites Centre, and John Carter of Duodrive Limited, emphasize their contributions to the HyZEM programme, which focuses on applying clean maritime technologies and developing a "well-to-wake" drivetrain solution for the marine sector to combat fuel anxiety associated with net-zero targets.

The project garners further support from various industry experts, including Andy Page of Chartwell Marine, who brings expertise in commercial vessel operations, and Steve Beel from Freeport East, who underscores the role of such innovations in driving transport decarbonisation. Joseph Hewitt from ORE Catapult and Dr. Jehan Kanga of Rux Energy also discuss their roles in supporting this transition with advanced hydrogen storage and fuel technologies. Collectively, these efforts not only contribute to reducing the environmental impact but also position Australia and the UK as leaders in maritime decarbonisation technology, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and promote global sustainability.