News story: Government backs innovative technology to slash shipping emissions to zero

The government has committed to help fund innovative technologies and fuels to reduce maritime emissions, ultimately helping create a zero-emissions sector.

The government, in partnership with industry, has committed to spending over £6 million on funding trials of innovative energy saving devices, such as:

  • state of the art propellers
  • on board waste heat recovery
  • rotor sails that use wind power to cut fuel consumption

In addition to funding trials, we are also now providing technical backing and expertise through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the following projects:

  • work in Scotland to prove the use of hydrogen fuel cells for ferries in the UK
  • Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries ongoing work to deliver innovative vessels such as hybrids, and their longer term efforts to prove the use of innovative propulsion and fuels for the next generation of ferries

The UK is playing a leading role in implementing binding energy efficiency targets for shipping, which we helped secure global agreement on in 2011. By 2025, the majority of new ships will be expected to be 30% more efficient than current designs.

Maritime transport emits around 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ annually worldwide, and is responsible for about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If emissions from international shipping are not addressed, studies suggest they will account for almost a fifth (17%) of global emissions by 2050, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Speaking in the run up to London International Shipping Week 2017, Maritime Minister John Hayes said:

The UK is home to a wealth of expertise in maritime technology, but more needs to be done to move this sector towards a zero emissions world.

That’s why this government is committed to backing vital technology to meet this goal, and we are looking to deepen our technical expertise to further support industry.

I will relay this message during London International Shipping Week 2017, where we will showcase the UK’s exciting future as a powerhouse of maritime innovation.

The government has also been working closely with industry to develop international regulations to support liquid natural gas and other alternative fuels. Vessels fuelled with liquid natural gas are regularly refuelling in the UK at ports including Teesport, Southampton and Immingham.

The UK already has several hybrid ships operating in its waters. These systems offer local air quality benefits, can be quieter for port communities and provide opportunities for further energy efficiency on board a vessel.



Notice: Hi-Rel Lids Limited: application made to abstract water

The Environment Agency consult the public on certain applications for the abstraction and impoundment of water.

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • which Environment Agency offices you can visit to see the application documents on the public register
  • when you need to comment by


Notice: Warren Hill Farms: application made to abstract water

The Environment Agency consult the public on certain applications for the abstraction and impoundment of water.

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • which Environment Agency offices you can visit to see the application documents on the public register
  • when you need to comment by


Official Statistics: Nursery survey: 2017 Edition

This release contains estimates of sales of improved nursery stock by forest nurseries in Great Britain, reporting on sales to Scotland and on all sales of Sitka spruce and Scots pine.



Press release: International protection for UK’s second largest seabird colony

The newly designated Northumberland Marine Special Protection Area (SPA) stretches 12 miles from the coastline into the North Sea, and covers an area of more than 120,000 football pitches.

It’s the most important site in the UK for Arctic, common and roseate terns, the second most important site for sandwich tern, and the third most important site for Atlantic puffin.

International designation will help ensure any disturbance to the birds’ essential open water feeding areas is minimised, so the birds have a safe space to feed in.

It builds on the protection already afforded to important breeding sites via the network of SPAs at Coquet Island, Farne Islands, Lindisfarne and Northumbria Coast. Today’s designation will help to protect the full range of habitats needed by the birds.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

We already have one of the strongest track records in the world when it comes to looking after our precious marine environment, and today’s designations will strengthen our blue-belt of protected areas while helping seabirds across the country thrive.

Andrew Sells, Natural England’s Chairman said:

This is a momentous day for a huge number of our best-loved and most charismatic seabirds, many of which have suffered population declines over recent decades.

These designations will protect vital feeding areas for seabirds along the English coast, creating safe havens to help the birds thrive for generations to come.

Chris Corrigan, Director, RSPB England said:

It is fantastic to see these special places being recognised and given the protection they so need and we hope to see more designations in the very near future.

As the UK moves closer to leaving the EU, we urge the government to continue to recognise the significance of protecting these sites, based on scientific evidence, and they continue to protect and manage these sites to the same or even higher standards than those currently secured by European law for generations to come.

Along with the new Northumberland Marine SPA, Natural England also announced extensions to Hamford Water SPA in Essex and Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary SPA in Cumbria.

These designations add an area of more than 150,000 football pitches (450 square miles) to the existing Marine Protected Area network. This gives international protection to feeding habitats for over 425,000 seabirds for the first time.

Further information

As an important breeding site in the UK Northumberland Marine SPA ranks:

  • top for Arctic tern (9,564 individuals), common tern (2,572) and roseate tern (160)
  • 2nd for sandwich tern (43,24 individuals)
  • 3rd for Atlantic puffin (108,484 individuals)
  • 4th for common guillemot (65,751 individuals)
  • 11th for little tern (90 individuals)

Artic terns make the longest annual migration of any bird species in the world – an average of 44,000 miles each year.

The new Northumberland Marine SPA covers a 41 mile stretch between Scremertson and Blyth.

The most important site for breeding seabirds in the UK is at Flamborough, along the Yorkshire coast.

Contact Natural England for more information

Mary Tomlinson, Senior Press Officer, Natural England. Email: mary.tomlinson@naturalengland.org.uk. Telephone: 0208 225 7322