Connected Places Catapult has opened applications for its Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime, a six-month programme designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing technologies for maritime decarbonisation.
The initiative targets technology upgrades, future fuels, and electrification to assist the sector’s transition to cleaner operations.
Up to six UK-registered SMEs with technologies between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and 8 will be selected for the cohort. Successful applicants will receive tailored commercial support, including market analysis, value proposition development, pricing strategies, financial forecasting, and communications guidance.
Participants will also have the opportunity to apply for up to £30,000 in funding to deliver a four-month trial with a programme partner.
The accelerator is delivered in collaboration with a partner consortium including Serco, Port of Tyne, Portsmouth International Port, and the National Shipbuilding Office, with additional support from Maersk.
The programme focuses on four specific operational challenges. Serco is seeking tools for optimising sea-going fleet operations and improving emissions data insights. Port of Tyne is targeting Scope 3 emissions tracking and reporting. Portsmouth International Port is exploring ways to efficiently use excess clean energy to improve shore power asset utilisation. Finally, the National Shipbuilding Office aims to decarbonise shipyard manufacturing and vessel construction processes.
The initiative builds on Connected Places Catapult’s previous maritime accelerator framework, which has supported 29 SMEs and delivered 11 trials. Applications for the current intake remain open until 28 July 2026, with the programme’s active phase scheduled to run between September 2026 and March 2027.
