Offshore Renewables

The Chamber is a firm advocate for the UK’s targets to decarbonise the country and reach net zero by 2050, 2045 in Scotland, a target the Chamber supports the UK Government in pushing the global shipping industry to also adopt. Offshore renewables are becoming a significant source of green energy and will grow considerably, with the Chamber supporting the Government’s targets for offshore wind development of 50GW by 2030, including 5GW of floating. Further ahead, upwards of 100GW may well be developed across the UK EEZ.

The Chamber is a champion of the vital role the ports and shipping industries play in enabling offshore energy production targets to be achieve, with both industries essential throughout the lifespan of developments across construction, operation & maintenance, and decommissioning phases. Offshore vessels play a central role in helping construct and maintain offshore wind turbines by providing bases for workers and equipment as well as physically transporting the infrastructure required for construction.

New and innovative vessels will be required for proliferation of offshore renewables, whether wind, tidal, wave or solar powered, offering a great opportunity for the UK to benefit from its first mover advantage and export its expertise and learning globally.

The Chamber’s primary concern however is for navigational safety for crew, passenger, cargo, and vessel to be maintained and for the avoidance or minimisation of disruption or economic loss to the shipping and navigation industries with particular regard to approaches to ports and to strategic routes essential to regional, national and international trade, and lifeline ferries.

The Chamber is actively engaged with the Crown Estate as the seabed lessor, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) as the maritime safety regulator, and the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) to protect navigational safety as far as possible. Working on every development across the UK EEZ, the Chamber encourages active and prospective developers to engage early with the maritime industry to maximise possibilities of safe and sustainable co-location and co-existence, and avoid unnecessary conflict. 

For more information or to engage with the Chamber, please contact Robert Merrylees, rmerrylees@ukchamberofshipping.com