Stronger environmental regulations are widely seen as essential for maritime decarbonisation. In this research we show that the relationship between regulation and green technology adoption is more complex and can have unintended consequences. Regulatory stringency can lead to slower technology adoption and there can be uneven impacts on profitability within the sector.

Key findings are as follows:

• More stringent regulation does not always encourage investment, conditions depending, firms may delay technology adoption.
• Regulatory uncertainty can create a “wait-and-see” effect especially among competing firms
• Impacts are not evenly distributed across the sector as some firms are in a better position to respond to regulatory change.
• Uncertainty can contribute to market concentration. Larger or better-resourced firms may benefit disproportionately, potentially crowding out smaller firms.

Policy Recommendations

To support effective maritime decarbonisation, policymakers at Department for Transport should consider the following:

• Clear and credible policy signals. Publish long-term regulatory roadmaps and implementation timelines. Minimise unnecessary policy reversals or abrupt changes in targets.
• Encourage early adoption. Consider targeted incentives and support mechanisms for first movers. Reduce uncertainty around future compliance requirements.
• Monitor market impacts. Assess how regulations affect different types and sizes of operator. Consider measures to avoid accelerating market concentration or disadvantaging smaller firms.
• Role of market dynamics. Technology adoption decisions and regulatory expectations influence one another. Policy frameworks should account for how sector behaviour may change in response to uncertainty.

This Policy Bulletin is based on the research publication Zheng, W., Song, D.P., Jiang, Z.Z., An, S.M. ‘The paradox of stringent environmental policies: the feedback between regulatory uncertainty and green technology adoption in competitive shipping’, Asia Pac. J. Mark. Logist., 2026, https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-09-2025-1854

Recommended citation:

Song, D., & Copeland, C. L. (2026). How Regulatory Uncertainty Shapes Maritime Green Technology Adoption. UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23499896

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To read other bulletins, please see: Resources – UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub

Ports are electrifying yard equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but full electrification takes years due to investment costs and grid supply capacity. During this transition, ports operate mixed fleets of diesel, hybrid, and electric yard cranes. Managing these cranes efficiently is essential for reducing energy use and costs, emissions, and congestion. This research outlines how improvements in modelling algorithms can optimise crane scheduling during phased upgrades to lower both emissions and costs.

Key findings:

• Cable length affects efficiency and safety risks and is optimal at around 40 bay lengths
• Type of crane placement and how all cranes are configured in a yard affects emissions
• Adopting hybrid and cable‑powered cranes early are cost‑effective in the transition
• Effective truck time management can reduce congestion and reduce operating costs
• Carbon pricing can be built directly into scheduling decisions

Mixed‑fleet crane operations are expected to be common for many years. Smarter scheduling, using modelling solutions such as developed here, can help ports cut emissions, manage limited power, and maintain safe, efficient operations in the transition to fully electric yards.

Policy Recommendations:

There are some policy improvement suggestions relevant to both Department for Transport and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as follows:

• Carbon pricing and other financial incentives can encourage crane‑upgrade decisions
• Safety‑distance standards are required for cabling of multi‑crane operations
• Support the use of smarter scheduling tools to handle mixed fleets and truck arrivals to save on costs, emissions and congestion
• For grid upgrades at ports prioritise where electric cranes are most constrained.

This Policy Bulletin is based on the research publication B. Liu, F. Wang, D. Sheng, X. Zhang, J. Zheng, and D. Song, ‘Scheduling heterogeneous yard cranes for port decarbonization: power constraints, crane interference, and safety distances’, Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev., vol. 206, p. 104581, Feb. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2025.104581

Recommended citation:

Song, D., & Copeland, C. L. (2026). Smarter Scheduling in Yards for Cleaner Ports. UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23499059

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To read other bulletins, please see: Resources – UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub

Decarbonisation at seaports is constrained by limited land availability, grid capacity, and infrastructure. This bulletin summarises research assessing the potential for floating solar power (FSP) systems to provide renewable electricity for port operations and vessel charging.

Some key findings from installing FSP systems at seaports:

• Can reduce reliance on grid electricity and fossil-based fuels
• Lower energy storage requirements and improve system efficiency, supporting more stable energy supply
• Payback periods are relatively short c.3–4 years under favourable conditions
• Emissions reductions are significant compared to conventional diesel-based energy systems (on a whole life cycle basis)
• With wireless charging infrastructure FSP provides a scalable pathway to electrifying vessels, particularly ferries and short-sea shipping.

Overall, floating solar can provide a viable, port-based renewable energy solution, contributing to maritime decarbonisation while overcoming land and infrastructure constraints.

Policy Recommendations:

Financial support and policy mechanisms can accelerate the adoption of FSP technologies, wider electrification of the maritime sector and contribute to the UK’s net zero emissions target.

This bulletin is based on a publication by Qing Qin, Lukman Adeboye, Khalifa Aliyu Ibrahim, Patrick Luk, Ying Xie, Patrick Verdin, Zhenhua Luo, Luofeng Huang titled “Techno-economic and environmental assessment of floating solar power with innovative charging systems for decarbonizing maritime operations in the UK“.

Recommended citation:

Xie, Y.& Copeland, C. L. (2026). Floating Solar Power for Maritime Decarbonisation. UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21469561

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Ferry ports have limited shore power (cold ironing) facilities, and ferry fleets are in the process of transitioning to hybrid (diesel and electric battery power) vessels. This research demonstrates that optimising berth allocations can deliver immediate reductions in port emissions while increasing the return on investment in shore-power infrastructure, while serving the same travel demand, and reducing the need for grid upgrades.

Key findings:

• Energy-Aware Scheduling modelling can reduce emissions by 12-40% and reduce diesel fall back at berth
• Shore power sees further emissions reduction up to 70% with a ferry fleet transition to  hybrid
• Fewer, fuller crossings can reduce emissions per crossing by up to 40% this is by sharing flexible freight across operators while meeting each operator’s car demand.

Policy recommendations:

• Make energy aware scheduling a priority throughout transition phases
• Timing upgrades to the grid and battery reinforcement based on evidence of optimisation will reduce overbuild risk

This bulletin is based on a publication by Dr Asefe Forghani, Professor Ying Xie, Dr Mahdi Jahangard, Professor Dongping Song and Dr Yuanjun Feng titled “Energy-aware scheduling and berth allocation for ferries under phased cold ironing upgrades”

Recommended citation:

Forghani, A.& Copeland, C. L. (2026). Port emissions reduction through energy-aware ferry scheduling. UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21455158

To download the full policy bulletin, please click the download button above.

To read other bulletins, please see: Resources – UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub