16.04.26, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation agency for transport, construction and data infrastructure, has today announced that applications are open for the Ideas Elevator - Maritime Decarbonisation programme.

The programme is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of its UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme (UK SHORE) which aims to support delivery of the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy and support the maritime sector develop and deploy the clean maritime technologies of the future.

The Ideas Elevator will support very early-stage ideas (at Technology Readiness Levels 1-2). Innovators from business and academia will receive support from specialists at the Catapult including concept development support, pitch deck development support and pitch training. They will also have the opportunity to present their ideas to an expert panel with representatives from industry and the DfT.

The programme offers a pathway to future funding via the long-running Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme. Successful participants from the Ideas Elevator will automatically move past the initial TRIG selection phase and be given the opportunity to attend a selection interview.

The Ideas Elevator is looking for ideas that could address one of the following challenge themes:

Enabling Safe and Scalable Adoption of Future Maritime Fuels

How might we develop early-stage methods, tools or concepts that enable the safe handling, storage, distribution and use of zero and near zero (ZNZ) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission fuels and support the skills, materials and logistics needed for the transition to multiple zero and near zero fuels?

Reducing Emissions Through Smarter, More Efficient Vessel Operations 

How might early-stage concepts, data-led approaches or enabling technologies improve vessel energy efficiency through smarter and more efficient operations for zero and near zero GHG emission and automation to reduce maritime greenhouse gas emissions?

Preparing Ports and Infrastructure for a Low Carbon, Multi-Modal Future 

How might early-stage tools, models or system concepts help ports and maritime infrastructure enable vessel and maritime decarbonisation, for example by managing automation and multi-fuel energy demand and coordinating with road and rail only where this directly supports maritime outcomes?

Whole Port Baselines including Vessels and Zero Emission Infrastructure 

How might we create a simple, secure and repeatable approach to mapping whole port energy demand and emissions including shore power infrastructure, vessel charging facilities and land-based machinery with a direct link to reducing maritime emissions so ports can target the first clean energy actions with confidence?

Trusted, Secure and Reusable Maritime Evidence to Enable Early Decarbonisation Decisions and Investment

How might we create trusted, secure and reusable maritime evidence that enables faster, more confident early-stage decarbonisation decisions unlocking investment across the shipping value chain?

“The maritime sector is vital to the UK economy, but it is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions. The Government’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy sets an ambitious aim for UK domestic maritime to reach zero fuel lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This presents a huge opportunity for innovators in the maritime sector to bring forward new technologies to support decarbonisation.

“By delivering the Ideas Elevator we are giving innovators with an early-stage idea the opportunity to quickly validate initial thinking and a clear path for taking the idea further towards commercialisation and impact.”

Sameer Savani, Transport Managing Director at Connected Places Catapult

Prospective applicants have until 8 May to apply via the Catapult’s website.