HARWICH’S Freeport East has received a £1.44 million investment to help fund its Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project, with a “similar sum” being given by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

HyZEM focuses on developing low-carbon green hydrogen technology for high-powered workboats and is part of a partnership, led by Freeport East, which includes UK and Australian businesses specialising in green hydrogen storage and propulsion technologies.

The partnership is led by Steamology, with the National Composites Centre, Duodrive, Chartwell Marine and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Green - Freeport East said offshore wind development, another of their projects, was critical to achieving net zero and growing the UK's economyGreen - Freeport East said offshore wind development, another of their projects, was critical to achieving net zero and growing the UK's economy (Image: Freeport East)

Freeport East - which is one of 12 UK trade growth zones - and ORE Catapult will provide further support with regional innovation, as well as building collaborations between businesses, global industry and academia in offshore renewable energy. 

Matt Candy, chief executive of Steamology, said: “We are pleased to be working with such talented partners across the hydrogen and marine supply chain and thank InnovateUK for grant funding the opportunity. 

“Steamology delivers scalable and modular solutions for industrial steam heat and power, embracing the hydrogen and circular economies, eliminating emissions, replacing fossil fuels and fossil fuel engines.”

Mr Candy added: “Steamology is delivering the world’s first zero emission hydrogen steam turbine marine propulsion, 130 years after ‘Turbinia’, the world’s first steam turbine steam ship."

Joseph Hewitt, project engineer at ORE Catapult, said: “We are delighted to partner with Steamology and the extended HyZEM consortium team, contributing our independent expertise in offshore renewable energy and clean maritime technology to this important feasibility study.

“Demonstrating the potential of innovative technologies such as hydrogen-storage and hydrogen-fuelled turbines to decarbonise the world’s marine fleet could pave the way for future cost savings and risk-reduction benefits for the entire industry."

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Deals - Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East, said this was their third deal of the yearDeals - Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East, said this was their third deal of the year (Image: Freeport East)


Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East, said: “This news highlights the rapid innovation-driven growth occurring within the Freeport and marks the third consortium funding success Freeport East has achieved in the past year.

“Freeport East is demonstrating how we can be an enabler of green technology solutions and support UK businesses to succeed overseas.”