A Devon shipbuilding company has been awarded £6m to deliver the UK’s first fully electric workboat and charging station.
Coastal Workboats is preparing for a month-long demonstration of the vessel in The Shetland Islands, where it will run an inter-island route between West Burrafirth and Papa Stour.
As part of the £9m project, which will mark the country’s first demonstration of an electric boat in a commercial setting, the Electric-Landing Utility Vessel (E-LUV), will be recharged by an onshore power unit, which can also be carried out on its deck.
Work is set to begin on the E-LUV in April and the trial is scheduled to take place in March 2025, following prior testing at sea.
Coastal Workboats, along with its Scottish division and project partners Pure and BK Marine, secured the grant from a £60m government fund for companies developing environmentally-friendly tech for the maritime industry.
The Exeter-based business said the trial would allow it to demonstrate its concept in a real-world setting and work with authorities on a regulatory framework, which could act as a blueprint for the industry in the future.
In addition to expansion of its operations in Clyde, where it is currently building the E-LUV, Coastal Workboats also announced the grant would help support its move to a new head office and factory in Honiton next year. The business said the move would help it to secure jobs.
Director Brian Pogson said: “Today’s funding announcement is a fantastic boost to our work. As with all innovation, the most important resource is the knowledge contained within our highly-experienced team – the CMDC3 funding allows us to safeguard jobs as well as expand that knowledge base on both sides of the border.
“We’ve been hugely excited by the potential of the E-LUV for some time and are eager to see the ways in which its four-week trial at Papa Stour will encourage much-needed further green development across our industry.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Our maritime sector imports 95% of goods into the UK and contributes £116 billion to our economy – more than both aviation and rail combined. With growing the economy one of the Government’s top priorities, we must continue our efforts to ensure the UK remains a pioneer in cutting-edge clean maritime solutions.
“The funding we’re awarding today will help to do just that, bringing emission-free concepts to life and fuelling innovation.”
According to Department for Transport statistics published in 2019, international and domestic shipping responsible for 3.4% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions
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