The UK Chamber of Shipping and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have jointly launched the UK Alternative Maritime Fuels Coalition, bringing together shipowners, fuel suppliers and producers and maritime technology developers to address the fuels and infrastructure challenges facing the shipping sector’s transition to net zero.

The coalition’s membership spans a broad range of fuel and industry associations, including the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association, the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), the eFuel Alliance, Hydrogen UK, IBIA (the International Bunker Industry Association), MI (the Global Methanol Alliance), the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, SEA-LNG and the UK Ammonia Alliance.

Among its stated objectives, the coalition intends to coordinate industry action on shipping’s energy transition, provide evidence-based input into the UK Government’s forthcoming consultation on domestic maritime fuel regulation and advocate for a technology-neutral approach to investment in alternative fuels, port infrastructure and enabling technologies. The group is also calling for revenues generated by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from maritime activity to be directed towards maritime decarbonisation, covering fuel production, port infrastructure and deployment.

Rhett Hatcher, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, stated: “Access to alternative fuels is one of the defining challenges for the future of UK shipping. This coalition brings together the companies and organisations needed to turn ambition into delivery. If the UK wants to lead on maritime decarbonisation, industry and government must work together to create the right conditions for investment in fuels, infrastructure and new technologies.”

Andy Harmer, executive director of CLIA in the UK & Ireland, commented: “Shipping’s transition to lower-emissions fuels depends on those fuels being available at scale, in the places ships need them, supported by the necessary infrastructure and a policy framework that encourages investment and innovation. This coalition brings the maritime, fuel and technology sectors together to help identify practical solutions and support a technology- and fuel-neutral approach based on lifecycle emissions performance.”

The coalition is to meet regularly, with the UK Chamber of Shipping and CLIA acting as joint facilitators.