Coastal communities across the UK are set to receive more than £1.1 billion in combined public and private investment for the maritime sector to cut shipping emissions and develop port infrastructure. The announcement came on 15 September 2025 during London International Shipping Week (LISW), where ministers joined industry leaders to set out plans for UK shipping.
The government set aside £448 million to back the UK SHORE programme. This initiative is designed to accelerate the development of new clean maritime technologies and fuels, including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and wind power. In parallel, £700 million in private sector commitments was unveiled.
Projects backed by earlier rounds of UK SHORE included Aqua Superpower, which installed electric charging points at UK ports, while Waterwhelm developed hydrogen production systems using recycled wastewater to generate electricity. Funding has already backed more than 200 projects across the country and helped create 750 jobs.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Today’s £1.1 billion boost for the maritime industry will supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal towns and cities – making the UK one of the best places in the world to invest.” He further noted, “We’re committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping – steering us towards net zero by 2050 and cementing Britain’s place as a clean energy superpower through our Plan for Change.”
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Keir Mather visited the Birkenhead facility to review progress on the shore power system.
Additional investments announced alongside LISW include £300 million from Peel Ports for upgrades in Liverpool, Hunterston and Great Yarmouth, £250 million from NatPower Marine to expand shore side power, which is estimated to support over 2,000 skilled jobs in engineering, construction and green technology services across the UK, particularly within local port communities. And £150 million from the Port of Tyne for its North Side development, which could create up to 12,000 jobs linked to offshore wind and manufacturing. Together, these measures are positioned to reshape the UK’s maritime transport landscape, to cut shipping emissions, and for large-scale infrastructure growth.
