July 29, 2025
A cross-sector consortium has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) to develop training programmes for the safe use of low and zero-emission fuels.
As announced, the consortium comprising ship.energy, DFDS, the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and the University of Plymouth, aims to address one of the key challenges in shipping’s energy transition. The focus is on ensuring that personnel at sea, in ports, and across the fuel supply chain are trained to handle low and zero-carbon fuels safely and in compliance with national and international regulations.
The initiative, which won funding under the sixth round of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) will be rolled out in three phases: a skills gap analysis, the development of modular training programs and real-world pilot testing.
We are thrilled to work alongside industry leaders to bridge critical skills gaps across the maritime fuel transition. By combining academic insight with real-world data, we’re shaping a workforce that is not only ready for low-carbon operations but capable of leading them.
…said Dr. Stavros Karamperidis, Head of Maritime Transport Research Group, University of Plymouth.
Furthermore, Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, Chairman and CEO, ship.energy, emphasized the urgent need for fully accredited training to equip the maritime workforce with the skills required to safely handle new marine fuels and support career development amid the industry’s energy transition.
In addition, Gemma Griffin, Vice President and Head of Global Crewing, DFDS, highlighted the importance of the Skills 4 Future Maritime Fuels project in preparing crews for working safely with new technologies as the company transitions to greener vessels.
As the global voice of the marine fuels industry, we are committed to driving skills development across the sector. Equipping both onboard and onshore professionals with the knowledge and competencies required to navigate the complexities of the energy transition is essential.
…said Alexander Prokopakis, Executive Director, IBIA.
Rhona Macdonald, Senior Sustainability Advisor, British Ports Association (BPA), also added that the project is a key step in supporting the safe and effective adoption of greener fuels, and emphasized BPA’s commitment to practical, collaborative decarbonization efforts.
