Decarbonising Ports & Harbours
The Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Innovation Network’s overarching objective is to raise the profile of the critical part ports and harbours need to play in Maritime transport’s transition to net zero by 2050 and accelerate this transition by giving clear direction.

This Innovation Network will focus on major ports and harbours that have a cross section of usage including cargo, ferries, and containers, thus addressing a broad range of energy issues.
The Decarbonising of Ports & Harbours Innovation Network aims to convene a community that addresses the challenges of decarbonising, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and improving localised air quality. The desired end-result of the Innovation Network’s activity is a sector-led proposal for a government-industry partnership and stimulus package. This will include:
- Agreed priority cross-sector challenges, informed by the current policy and solutions landscape.
- A road-map for solution development, that offer the best overall lifecycle emission reductions, to provide focus and early planning for longer term R&D and innovation investment.
- Agreed industry and government commitments and priority actions, including investment plan and timescales.
Our current climate crisis, created through the burning of fossil fuels, will have a significant impact on our health, livelihoods and environment if specific measures aren’t taken to curb its effects. This is a wide and varied effort which involves collaboration across sectors and industries, public and private. The Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Innovation Network is addressing the commitments of the Net Zero by 2050, Clean Maritime Plan and the Maritime 2050 Strategy by catalysing cross sector activity.
Download our briefing note which details what we are trying to achieve and how we plan on doing this. Learn more about our advisory group and the expertise that each member brings.
In response to the UK’s commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050, we have also developed a landscape map of the UK port owners, operators, technology providers, industry stakeholders as well as solution providers. Explore and join the interactive landscape map.
Related Opportunities
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competitions - round 4
Opens: 02/08/2023 Closes: 27/09/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £34m from the Department for Transport, for innovative clean maritime technologies.
More Information
Canada-UK Ocean Collaborative R&D: Expression of Interest
Opens: 11/09/2023 Closes: 18/10/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for collaborative ocean technologies R&D, with Canadian organisations.
More Information
Global Incubator Programme: Canada - Ocean Scaleup Accelerator
Opens: 11/09/2023 Closes: 05/11/2023
Innovate UK are seeking up to 8 innovative companies in the ocean sector for a tailored 6-month incubation programme in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, including participation in Canada’s premier ocean technology event.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Tue
7
Nov
2023
Engage with... LIVE! 2023 - Driving Forward UK Electrification Technologies
09.00 - 17.00 | Birmingham
Register for this event
Programmes related to Decarbonising Ports & Harbours

Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Landscape Map
This landscape map is an evolving visualisation representing maritime stakeholders and the wider community committed to decarbonising UK ports & harbours.

Maritime & Ports Innovation Network
Following the success of the Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Innovation Network held from 2020 to 2022, we have decided to extend the programme for an additional year. We recognise that since the inception of our original programme in 2019, a lot has happened, we left the EU, we entered a pandemic and a financial crisis (not just because we left the EU) and we reaffirmed our commitment to decarbonising our industries including maritime.