Solent, UK - The future of environmentally friendly shipping was the main focus of a recent roundtable event organized by Maritime UK Solent. Over 20 Solent-based and international maritime organizations, along with the Department of Transport (DfT), gathered to discuss and share ideas for cleaner maritime fuels.

"Transitioning to greener shipping is crucial for the Solent's maritime industry," stated Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chair of Maritime UK Solent. "This event provided a valuable platform to compare approaches for switching to cleaner fuels and identify the necessary actions for success. It's a concrete step towards ensuring the Solent and UK maintain their leading positions in the global maritime scene."

Industry leaders and regulators explored the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives that align with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The discussion covered challenges and potential solutions related to skills development, infrastructure investment, technical hurdles, and government support.

Wightlink, a ferry company pioneering green fuels with their hybrid cross-Solent ferry, Victoria of Wight, hosted the event. Their CEO, Keith Greenfield, emphasized the collective effort needed to tackle decarbonization. "While it's a shared challenge, the Solent maritime sector possesses the skills and expertise to find solutions for both the short and long term," he said.

Keith Johnstone, Assistant Director for Regulatory Innovation at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, highlighted the diverse fuel needs of different shipping companies and routes. "Decarbonization is a major change for maritime," he stated. "Industry, academia, and government must continue collaborating to address these issues."

Maritime UK Solent remains committed to working with the DfT and the Solent maritime cluster to support the industry's transition to a cleaner and lower-carbon future.