Accelerating innovation in £5m Mersey project

Experts at LJMU are seeking new ways to make maritime transport cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

They lead a £5m project to transfer the latest research and innovations into real-world change in how shipping is designed and fuelled, how it operates and how it is regulated.

The MaLaMi project sees researchers and industrialists working closely with local government to apply emerging solutions, such as renewables, ship retrofitting and digitisation as the maritime sector works towards net zero by 2050.

In one example, LJMU marine engineers are working with Liverpool engineering firm Armada to use water injection techniques to reduce drag on ships hulls and improve fuel-efficiency.

A project with Bibby Marine is developing electric-powered tugs to service the offshore wind industry.

“Maritime is increasingly recognised as a sector which is vital to the regional and national economy and where 21^st century solutions are needed,” said Professor Zaili Yang, project lead at Liverpool John Moores University.

“Merseyside boasts a world-leading maritime ecosystem and together we aim to shape a cleaner, more effective industry, create new business and new jobs.”

Accelerate solutions

LJMU experts from the Global Centre for Maritime Innovation helped stage an industry day in the city to share knowledge from a host of viewpoints, including the universities, LCR Freeport, Mersey Maritime and the Connected Places Catapult.

The day saw an update on MaLaMi – (the Maritime Last Mile Net Zero) project, a name which emphasises the importance of ports in maritime transport – and a new call for projects to apply for funding, £2.5 of which is provided by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC).

“We want researchers or businesses to use these funds to work with each other to make innovation happen and accelerate solutions,” said Andy King, MaLaMi lead and marine consultant.

Funding is available for projects related to ‘greening shipping corridors’, meaning any part of the shipping journey.

A total of 80 projects could eventually be funded in the life of the project, running to 2028 and involving LJMU with its partners Queen’s University, Belfast and The University of Liverpool.

The Maritime and Last Mile Net Zero project brings together Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Sefton Council, Wirral Council, Knowsley Council and LCR Freeport.

Mersey 'nationally-important cluster'

It is one of seven projects nationally supported by the government  to strengthen emerging and existing research and innovation clusters to kickstart economic growth and address regional needs.

Globally, maritime operates an ageing fleet that runs almost exclusively on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions have risen 20% over the last decade.

Beyond cleaner fuels, the industry needs to move faster towards shore power, onboard carbon capture, hydrogen and digital solutions like AI and to improve efficiency as well as sustainability.

Added Professor Yang: “This is a great example of putting cutting-edge research to work for the region.”