Background

The UK's zero-emission ferry sector is entering a defining period of transition, with government ambition backed by one of the world's most ̨ maritime funding programmes. The GBP448 million invested by various Department for Transport programmes has recently opened Round 7 of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition and Round 2 of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure fund, together making over GBP270 million available for the development, deployment, and operations of zero emission maritime solutions. 

Yet significant challenges remain with operators facing complex decisions on vessel procurement, choosing between hydrogen and battery technology, and financing models. At the same time, ports and terminals must continue navigating significant infrastructure upgrades, grid capacity constraints, and the coordination demands of working across energy suppliers, shipbuilders, and regulators. Translating this investment and momentum into coordinated, large-scale fleet decarbonisation will require closer alignment across government, industry, and finance than the sector has yet achieved.

Following a successful inaugural edition, Global Mass Transit is pleased to announce the second annual conference on Zero Emission Ferries UK, to be held on 07 October 2026 at Park Plaza London Riverbank.  

Mission

The mission of the conference is to discuss the deployment of zero emission ferries in the UK, funding available, strategies, case studies, best practices, recent developments, key challenges, plans and future outlook. It will also provide information on procuring, financing, operating, and maintaining zero emission ferries and infrastructure. The conference will also highlight opportunities and technological innovations.

Key issues to be discussed

• Transitioning to zero emission ferries: strategies and best practices
• Partnership between stakeholders in industry, financiers and government
• Experience so far, best practices 
• Project pipeline, procurement strategies and deployment planning
• Project conceptualisation, financing and planning, and procurement
• Choosing between different low/zero emission options: hydrogen, electric, BioGas, etc.
• Hydrogen fuel cell ferries: pilot projects, case studies and future plans
• Battery-powered electric ferries: case studies and future plans
• Challenges for operators
• Economics of zero emission ferries
• Funding mechanisms and investment models
• Port and /terminal electrification
• Designing and building electric and hybrid ferries: insights from shipbuilders and OEMs
• Charging options, deployment of charging infrastructure, challenges and opportunities
• Partnerships with utilities/energy suppliers, impact on the grid
• Commercialisation of zero emission marine technologies
• Worker training to support electrification technology

DAYS TO GO

When & Where

October 07, 2026
Park Plaza London Riverbank

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