The consortium gas secured Innovate UK funding under the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC Round 6) to conduct a feasibility study assessing shore power technology for service operation vessels at Port of Tyne.

The study, assisted by the use of AI and machine learning, will examine how ports can deliver clean, reliable shore power to hybrid and fully electric vessels.

With demand for SOVs accelerating to support offshore wind development, the project focuses on smart charging strategies that cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil-fuelled onboard generation.

The consortium, led by Ameresco, includes Cranfield University, GeoPura, and the Port of Tyne, and will evaluate how green technology such as batteries, hydrogen, and methanol can be combined into flexible, modular charging systems that overcome common grid constraint barriers. These systems could help ports meet the UK’s maritime emissions targets and support the transition to net zero by 2050.

The team will develop digital twins of clean generation technologies and use AI to model energy use, optimise vessel charging schedules, and assess efficient alternative fuel supply chains. A techno-economic model will inform intelligent low carbon investment decisions and provide environmental analysis.

Findings will guide a full scale shore power demonstration at the Port of Tyne and create a roadmap for other UK ports. If successful, the solution could reduce emissions at berth by up to 100%, helping improve local air quality and position the UK as a leader in green maritime innovation.

Ameresco senior vice president UK operations Alexandra Coleman said, “This project will harness AI-driven digital twin technology to optimise berth and charging logistics at the Port of Tyne.”

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, part of the Department for Transport.