Carbon-free shipping to set sail by 2050 under new plans

Fuels of the future and shipping charge points in harbours are at the centre of a major new strategy to make Britain’s shipping fleet net zero by 2050 and drive growth in coastal communities.

On 25 March 2025, the Maritime Minister revealed the Government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon free and help vessel owners, operators and scientists make emission-free voyages a reality. 

Part of the government’s Plan for Change to propel the UK towards becoming a green energy superpower and drive growth,
the new Maritime decarbonisation strategy sets out goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030, 80 percent by 2040 and to zero by 2050. 

This will see the UK match the highest level of the ambitious goals agreed upon at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in its 2023 strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. 

Investment in green technologies and fuels will cement the UK as a clean energy superpower and encourage a green economic revival at the local level, helping to build high-skilled jobs in coastal communities and
delivering a local boon to cities and towns.

Under the new strategy, the shipping sector will be brought under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). This will see operators of larger vessels such as tankers and cruises – which cause the most pollution – pay more for their greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, the strategy sets out plans to reduce emissions from shipping and increase the use of clean fuels and technologies, such as hydrogen, electric or ammonia vessels.

The minister launched the new strategy in Portsmouth with vessel charge port pioneer ABB and demonstrated how
these new green shipping technologies will bring in private investment, create thousands more jobs and revitalise coastal communities.

Such investment has already seen growth in coastal regions, with the £206 million of UK SHORE funding having already supported over 300 organisations across every nation and region in the UK and secured over £100 million of private investment, helping to kickstart economic growth.

Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face today. Working together with industry and international partners, we are driving down emissions in every corner of the
economy.

“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re committed to making the UK a green energy superpower and our maritime decarbonisation strategy will help us build a cleaner, more resilient maritime nation.”

In addition, the Government has also launched two calls for evidence to help inform the development of measures needed to reduce emissions at berth, understand the future energy demand at ports, and decarbonise smaller vessels. 

With global shipping accounting for two percent of all emissions, the UK will push for high ambitions at the UN’s next meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April, as it develops important measures to reduce emissions from global shipping.