PurpleSector & Partners Win Govt. Funding To Cut UK Marine Emissions

^{IMAGE CREDIT: RNLI / NIGEL MILLARD - BALTIMORE ALB/ILB}

'Project OptiMar' - a groundbreaking initiative led by PurpleSector, working in partnership with Serco, the RNLI and Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) – has been awarded a significant Government grant under the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6).

CMDC6 is part of a suite of interventions launched by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), a programme tasked with outlining the UK Government’s commitment to decarbonising the UK maritime sector, while also guaranteeing its future sustainability.

As the UK works towards its Net Zero by 2050 target, Project OptiMar stands as a testament to British innovation, poised to deliver practical, cutting-edge digital solutions for the marine sector that simultaneously benefit the economy, environment and public health.

Project OptiMar (OPTImised MARitime) will deliver a first-of-its-kind digital twin platform to help optimise both the operational activity of a fleet of vessels and the design and performance of their propulsion systems.

‍Mike Hayes, Transformation and Programmes Director for Defence, UK & Europe - Serco

“PurpleSector is solutions-focussed in a problem-focussed world – they don’t just analyse, they implement. It’s almost mind blowing the speed at which the team can create clarity from ambiguity.”

Reece Oliver, Head of Engineering Transformation - RNLI

“PurpleSector continues to provide innovative and pragmatic support to our engineering team to help us deliver better value services to our volunteer lifesaving crew.  Project ‘OptiMar’ is another step in enabling our organisation to make data-led decisions on operational efficiency, fuel consumption and powertrain emissions.”

William Barker, Harbour Master - Harwich Haven Authority

“PurpleSector is recognised for its expertise in optimising how vessels are using and developing innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions. We value the way PurpleSector shares our attitude and ambition.”

Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero - Innovate UK

“PurpleSector’s Project OptiMar shows how UK-based innovations are making a sizeable impact toward maritime decarbonisation. The project looks set to deliver reductions in emissions and fuel costs of certain vessels, and demonstrates precisely how UK SHORE-supported projects are putting the UK at the forefront of developing cutting-edge maritime decarbonisation technology.”

Mark Mathieson MBE, CEO - PurpleSector

"The best partnerships are forged through shared attitude and ambition. Thank you to Innovate UK for championing our work, and to our partners for their dedication to this important initiative."

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<<Read the full press release>>

‍UK SHORE

Project OptiMar is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to over247 projects, leveraging over £107m private investment. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship CMDC and ZEVI competitions.

Maritime is a key sector which needs to find innovative solutions to its carbon footprint in order to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. The UK SHORE programme is a key part of that work, supporting research and development to unlock an industry-led transition towards Net Zero and deliver economic growth, in line with the Government’s missions and the Plan for Change.

The UK SHORE programme consists of multiple headline projects situated all across the UK from Belfast and Orkney to Cornwall and Portsmouth and all points in between – showcasing the exceptional, highly-skilled work being delivered throughout the UK economy. UK SHORE is supporting 500 organisations, unlocking investment potential in UK technologies, at UK ports and at UK shipyards.

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