Maritime innovators invited to step forward for new transport accelerator

01.05.25, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth, announced today that applications are open for the first Transport Accelerator: Maritime.

Funded by Innovate UK, the programme is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with pioneering solutions that could be applicable to the maritime industry and the wider transport sector.

Ideas invited for funding and support cover the following challenges:
• Automating the operation of plant and machinery,
• Storing and distributing future fuels,
• Improving safety in ports.

The Catapult is collaborating with a consortium of programme partners: Serco, Port of Tyne,  National Shipbuilding Office,  University of Plymouth, Portsmouth International Port, Royal Navy Maritime Enterprise, and Maersk.

SMEs that join the programme will benefit from engaging with – and being supported by – the programme partners either with their trials or with mentoring, depending on the solutions within the cohort.

In addition to the potential of receiving up to £20,000 in funding to support four-month trials, every SME on the programme will receive bespoke commercial support. This is scoped through a thorough business needs assessment process and could include market analysis, value proposition refinement, strategic pricing, financial forecasting, and developing compelling communication strategies.

The Transport Accelerator: Maritime builds on the past three years of success of the Catapult’s previous Maritime Accelerator programme, during which time 22 SMEs were supported, and nine trials were delivered.

“We are delighted to be launching the Transport Accelerator: Maritime to help take forward innovative solutions which accelerate autonomous operations, develop new ways to store and distribute future fuels, and improve safety in and around ports."

Connected Places Catapult’s Head of Maritime, Richard Holland

“Small to medium sized companies offer a wealth of opportunities to explore and mature new technologies, and transfer knowledge between industries. We look forward to inviting applications from businesses that both already operate within the maritime sector, and also those which have technologies from other sectors that can be applied to solve the maritime challenges identified through this programme."