The Connected Places Catapult has recently concluded year 3 of its Innovate UK funded Maritime Milestone programme, where the focus of a major piece of work is on preparing the sector for transition to future fuels.

There were two focus areas:

• Future Fuels Blueprint – a blueprint that outline key activities to enable future fuel adoption on the path to 2050. This report was published in Winter 2024 – Maritime Innovation Flagship Programme: Future Fuels Blueprint  – Connected Places Catapult
• Future Fuel Trial & Demonstration Plan – where the initial desk-based decarbonisation blueprint was translated into priority regional trials and demonstrations has been published in April 2025 – Maritime Future Fuel Trial & Demonstration Plan  – Connected Places Catapult

This programme worked in partnership with the Liverpool City Region to enable place-based future fuel innovation. The regional approach could be replicated in other areas of the UK through strategic engagement and gaining a comprehensive understanding of fuel infrastructure developments.

A shortlist of regional (Merseyside) future fuel trials & demonstrations was developed, to accelerate adoption:

• Energy simulation model for electricity & alternative fuel demand

• Energy management system efficiency optimisation

• Small scale alternative fuel port asset or shipyard demonstration

• Trial methanol in tugboats to assess engines / systems

• Workboat alternative dual propulsion demonstration

Connected Places Catapult are actively seeking expressions of interest for consortium participation in the highlighted trial and demonstration areas. Please contact maritime@cp.catapult.org.uk for enquiries.

And of course, should the funding be available, then the Connected Places Catapult would be keen to partner with leadership in the SW and repeat the exercise here to help scope trials here to seek funding and investment to deliver.