On 18 September 2025, Associated British Ports (ABP) announced that its consortium project “TURBO-METH” has secured funding under the UK Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Round 6.
The announcement coincided with London International Shipping Week. The project aims to trial green methanol production technology developed by PuriFire Energy, in partnership with Shoreham Port, Newcastle University, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) and other organisations.
According to ABP, the initiative will provide port operators with insights into bio-methanol logistics, large-scale bunkering, on-site production and demand from end-users.
Ralph Windeatt, ABP Group Head of Business Development, said: “Our ports are already at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation as we play a pivotal role in enabling the energy transition. We are excited to support this project and look forward to working with consortium partners and our customers to evaluate our other port locations and help lay the foundations for a sustainable future.”
ABP said its role has included contributing to successful proposals for two maritime decarbonisation projects. The goals are to assess the viability, environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness of PuriFire Energy’s technology, confirm readiness for wider use and encourage broader adoption of green methanol as a maritime fuel.
Neel Shah, CEO of PuriFire Energy, said: “Our purpose is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by providing green methanol solutions. We are committed to scaling our portfolio of unique technologies, while minimising environmental impact, driving positive change, and creating value for our stakeholders.”
ABP noted that its collaboration with PuriFire began in June 2024 through the ABP Energy Ventures Accelerator (EVA), which has engaged with more than 300 startups and investors across the clean energy spectrum.
The Department for Transport launched CMDC Round 6 in January 2025 with a budget of up to £30 million to support feasibility studies and pre-deployment trials of clean maritime technologies.
David Cooper, Partnership Manager for Clean Maritime at ORE Catapult, said: “The UK’s Department for Transport has demonstrated global leadership in advancing clean maritime innovation. With recent announcements from the International Maritime Organisation, the trajectory towards decarbonisation is now unmistakable. While the future fuel mix remains uncertain, pioneering projects like this are vital to shaping that future. At ORE Catapult we’re committed to contributing our market insight to help identify what could power the offshore renewable energy fleet, a key maritime sector, in the years ahead.”
Associated British Ports (ABP) is a private limited company and the UK’s largest port operator, managing 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales. ABP handles around one-quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade.