Decarbonisation and automation innovators join Maritime Accelerator as Royal Navy confirms support
AI supply chain management, autonomous security drones and emission reduction technologies are among the innovations selected to receive expert support.
Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, today announced the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to take part in the 2023 Maritime Accelerator.
The companies selected are developing technologies that respond to challenges in the sector around automation and decarbonisation. These areas of focus were identified by the programme partners: DP World Southampton; Houlder; Maersk; the National Shipbuilding Office; Port of Tyne; Serco and the University of Plymouth. These partners have recently been joined by the Royal Navy, which has agreed to provide support to SMEs on the accelerator.
Commodore John Voyce, Commanding Officer of HM Naval Base Portsmouth said: “The Royal Navy is a major user of the UK’s port facilities and maintains an active interest in the development of new technologies that can give our vessels, operations and supporting infrastructure a strategic advantage. By collaborating with Connected Places Catapult we hope to provide subject matter experts on the Accelerator with valuable access and insights to help them develop their innovations.”
Over the next three months, the cohort of SMEs will receive bespoke business development, investment readiness and technical support from Connected Places Catapult. They will also gain access to expertise and insights from the programme partners, and an opportunity to explore and design trials with them, funded through the accelerator where applicable.
Meet the SMEs selected for the Maritime Accelerator:
- Cargo Stream UK provides a platform that encompasses essential management and integrates AI for the maritime and land transportation industries.
- Geospatial Insight brings together data analytics with satellite imagery to help clients in the maritime sector to monitor air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Mission Zero Technologies develops negative emissions solutions to recover CO₂ from the atmosphere for circular use or permanent removal.
- PurEmissions has developed filtration technology that allows vessels and ports to meet strict emission limits and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Unitrove Innovation provides zero emission fuelling infrastructure such as green liquid hydrogen, green compressed gaseous hydrogen and renewable electricity for maritime applications.
- Unmanned Life has developed a software platform known as U-Security that deploys autonomous drones for security surveillance at port facilities.
Mark Wray, Ecosystem Director for Maritime and Ports at Connected Places Catapult, said: “Decarbonisation and operational efficiency through automation are top of the agenda for many companies in the maritime sector and the UK has a rich tradition of leading the way in the development of new maritime technologies. Working with our partners, we’re helping the sector to continue this tradition by supporting innovative companies to rise to today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s solutions.”