ACUA Ocean Secures Multimillion-Pound Funding for Green Maritime Innovation

A significant stride towards decarbonizing the maritime sector has been achieved with the award of a multimillion-pound grant to a consortium led by Acua Ocean, a zero-emission vessel provider, in collaboration with Unitrove, a zero-emission infrastructure provider. This grant, totaling £3.8 million, has been provided by the UK government as part of its commitment to fostering green initiatives within the maritime industry.
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The consortium, named Hydrogen Innovation – Future Infrastructure & Vessel Evaluation and Demonstration (HI-FIVED), aims to utilize the funding to construct an autonomous vessel equipped with bunkering infrastructure technologies tailored for liquid hydrogen. This ambitious project, estimated to cost £5.4 million, is scheduled for completion in autumn 2024.
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The primary objective of the HI-FIVED project is to establish a green shipping corridor between Aberdeen in mainland Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. This corridor will be facilitated by hydrogen-powered autonomous ships designed to transport cargo, thereby significantly reducing emissions associated with maritime transport.
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The consortium comprises key stakeholders in the maritime industry, including the Port of Aberdeen, the University of Southampton, Zero Emissions Maritime Technology, Composite Manufacturing and Design, Trident Marine Electrical, and NASH Maritime. Each partner brings unique expertise and resources to the table, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
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Unitrove, renowned for its groundbreaking liquid hydrogen bunkering facility, plans to deploy its mobile fuelling technology at the Port of Aberdeen to support the operation of the autonomous vessels developed by Acua Ocean. This partnership marks a pivotal step towards realising the vision of operating the world's first maritime autonomous surface ship powered by liquid hydrogen.
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The HI-FIVED project falls under the umbrella of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3), a government-funded initiative aimed at promoting innovation in clean maritime solutions. With a total allocation of £60 million to 19 flagship projects, CMDC3 reflects the government's commitment to driving sustainable practices within the maritime sector.
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Michael Tinmouth, COO of Acua Ocean, emphasised the significance of successful technology demonstrations in catalysing future investment in maritime decarbonisation. He highlighted the consortium's shared commitment to reducing emissions and accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies within the industry.
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Steven Lua, CEO of Unitrove, expressed his enthusiasm for receiving government support to demonstrate the world's first liquid hydrogen autonomous vessel and associated infrastructure. He credited the consortium's strong collaboration across the supply chain for instilling confidence in delivering a groundbreaking project.
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The HI-FIVED project aligns with the UK's broader efforts to transition towards a greener maritime sector. Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, emphasised the sector's economic importance and underscored the government's commitment to supporting cutting-edge clean maritime solutions.
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Overall, the award of the multimillion-pound grant to the HI-FIVED consortium represents a significant milestone in the journey towards decarbonising the maritime industry. By leveraging innovative technologies and fostering collaboration, the project aims to pave the way for a more sustainable future in maritime transport.