UKSHORE Roadshow Event taking place in Belfast on 12th May 2026
Northern Ireland businesses are being encouraged by DAERA to find out how they can access a UK Government funding stream to drive innovation around decarbonisation in the maritime sector.
The event is taking place in Belfast on the UK Government’s £271 million investment to develop green boat fuel and boost innovation.
The fishing sector centred around Ardglass, Kilkeel, and Portavogie, which is under pressure from a number of sources impacting on its sustainability will be looking at what it can do to modernise its fleet and examine green fuel options.
The May 12th event today, organised by Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) and hosted by A&L Goodbody at their Belfast offices, provides an opportunity for businesses to engage the UK Department for Transport and Innovate UK Business Connect on the fund which was announced in March through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (SHORE) research programme.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “This investment has the potential to support many skilled jobs and deliver significant benefits for shipping and coastal communities.
“I strongly welcome the UK Government’s announcement on this substantial funding opportunity and would encourage local maritime businesses to engage with this event to understand the opportunities available.
“This funding opportunity represents a real and meaningful step in supporting the maritime sector to reduce its emissions and reap the benefits of decarbonisation.
“This should in turn assist in the delivery of our collective climate ambition, building on the publication of Northern Ireland’s Climate Adaptation Programme, progress on the draft Climate Action Plan along with work to establish a Just Transition Commission for Northern Ireland.
“My Department is keen to see Northern Ireland businesses benefit fully from these developments.”
The creation of the SHORE research fund aligns with the passage of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, which brings the UK domestic maritime sector within scope of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) from 1 July 2026.
Registration for the May 12 Belfast event is available (still open) at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-shore-regional-tour-northern-ireland-tickets-1987381647005
The funding has been awarded through the seventh round of the clean maritime demonstration competition (CMDC) and the second round of zero emissions vessels and infrastructure (ZEVI) fund.
It will give successful companies in the maritime sector, including freight, passenger, commercial, leisure and fishing vessels, grants to help decarbonise by developing clean maritime fuels and infrastructure.
