Referral of the proposed UK SHORE subsidy scheme by Innovate UK
The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has accepted a request for a report providing advice to Innovate UK concerning its proposed UK SHORE subsidy scheme.
Administrative timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 30 January 2026 | SAU’s report to be published |
| 6 January 2026 | Deadline for receipt of any third-party submissions |
| 16 December 2025 | Beginning of reporting period |
Request from Innovate UK
16 December 2025: The SAU has accepted a request for a report from Innovate UK concerning the proposed UK SHORE subsidy scheme. This request relates to a Subsidy Scheme of Particular Interest.
The SAU will prepare a report, which will provide an evaluation of Innovate UK’s assessment of whether the subsidy scheme complies with the subsidy control requirements (Assessment of Compliance). The SAU will complete its report within 30 working days.
Information about the scheme provided by Innovate UK
The UK SHORE programme, funded by the Department for Transport, supports the decarbonisation of the UK maritime sector by funding research, development, and demonstration of clean maritime technologies. Through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) and Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competitions, grant funding is provided to consortia of businesses, research organisations, and other eligible entities for research and development projects focused on alternative fuels, zero emission vessels, energy efficiency, and supporting infrastructure. The competitions will be delivered by Innovate UK, acting as the delivery partner responsible for managing the application process, assessment, and administration of grant funding.
The subsidy scheme aims to address market failures that limit private investment in maritime innovation, accelerate emissions reductions, and stimulate economic growth and job creation. Projects are selected via open competition, with emphasis on collaboration and technologies close to commercialisation. While the subsidy scheme and its assessment relate only to subsidies that are awarded under the Subsidy Control Act, funding from the wider UK SHORE programme is available for organisations based across the UK.
Approximately £356 million is available across both competitions, with individual project awards up to £25 million. Supported activities are expected to deliver environmental benefits, increased research and development, and enhanced competitiveness for UK maritime businesses.
Information for third parties
If you wish to comment on matters relevant to the SAU’s evaluation of the Assessment of Compliance concerning the proposed UK SHORE subsidy scheme, please send your comments on the date stipulated in the timetable above. For guidance on representations relevant to the Assessment of Compliance, see the section on reporting period and transparency in the Operation of the subsidy control functions of the Subsidy Advice Unit.
Please send your submissions to us at SAU-UKSHOREMaritimeDecarbonisation2025@cma.gov.uk, copying the public authority: subsidy.compliance@iuk.ukri.org.
Please also provide a contact address and explain in what capacity you are making the submission (for example, as an individual or a representative of a business or organisation).
Notes to third parties wishing to make a submission
The SAU will only take your submission into account if it can be shared with Innovate UK. The SAU will send a copy of your submission to Innovate UK together with its report. This is to allow the public authority to take account of the submission in its decision as to whether to grant or modify the subsidy scheme or its assessment. We therefore ask that you provide express consent for your full and unredacted submission to be shared. We also encourage you to share your submission directly with Innovate UK using the email address provided above.
The SAU may use the information you provide in its published report. Therefore, you should indicate in your submission whether any specified parts of it are commercially confidential. If the SAU wishes to refer in its published report to material identified as confidential, it will contact you in advance.
For further details on confidentiality of third party submissions, see identifying confidential information in the Operation of the subsidy control functions of the Subsidy Advice Unit.
Contacts
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SAU project team: sau-ukshoremaritimedecarbonisation2025@cma.gov.uk
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CMA press team: 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk