UK announces smart shipping fund

News Story
- 2 May 2024 ( #1177 ) - Southampton, United Kingdom
1 min read
The new fund will finance cutting-edge port technology
The new fund will finance cutting-edge port technology

The United Kingdom has announced a smart shipping fund to develop maritime technology such as self-driving ships and automated port operations.

Maritime Minister Lord Henry Davies says the GBP8 million (USD10 million) Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund will finance feasibility studies for innovative technology demonstrations of scalable smart shipping technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. 

Successful ports will be able to use artificial intelligence to detect safety hazards, optimise port activities and reduce their environmental footprint.

The winning projects, which can cost between GBP75,000 and GBP750,000 (USD93,920 and USD939,200), will require matched funding from the private sector.

“Using AI and cutting-edge technology to make boats smarter and transform port operations is part of our plan to decarbonise shipping, enhance safety for our seafarers and help grow the economy,” Lord Davies says.

“AI has the potential to revolutionise the sector, create jobs and support the economy.”

Applications for the fund close on 26 June and proposals must include a technical and economic feasibility study associated with the development and demonstration of on-vessel technologies, infrastructure technologies or both.

Meanwhile, in the United States the Federal Highway Administration announced USD148 million in grants to 11 states and Puerto Rico under a new program to improve air quality and reduce pollution for truck drivers, port workers and families that live in communities surrounding ports.

Ports in California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and New Jersey received funding in the first round of the program.

Cyngn secures funding, announces Nvidia partnership
Cyngn secures funding, announces Nvidia partnership 10 Jul 2025 - Mountain View, CA, United States - 1 min read
ERA releases carbon emission reporting guidance
ERA releases carbon emission reporting guidance 18 Jul 2024 - Brussels, Belgium - 1 min read
Plug completes 13th European HRS
Plug completes 13th European HRS 18 Jul 2024 - Slingerlands, NY, United States - 1 min read
Previously about:
Increase in NI contributions leads to automation enquiries, Toyota News Story - 13 Feb 2025 - Slough, United Kingdom - 1 min read
ICS welcomes Operation Prosperity Guardian News Story - 21 Dec 2023 - London, United Kingdom - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

Showcased in the Virtual Expo

It’s the year 2000. You’re in front of a boxy beige desktop waiting for the screeching ramblings of your dial-up to reach its finale. You go to Yahoo!, MSN, or maybe AOL, and start the mind-numbing process of finding your very specific needle in the digital haystack. And with web pages loading one image at a time, patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement!

As clumsy as this early iteration seems now, this technology was the great enabler that allowed Forkliftaction to connect to the industry across the globe.  

To everyone who has connected with Forkliftaction in the past 25 years, thank you for your contribution to our success! We feel deeply touched by your words of encouragement.

What has Forkliftaction meant to you? Drop us a line.

Words of support …

These releases in Forkliftaction are a nice experience for SNDC... We got seven inquiries coming from Canada, USA, Mexico, Israel and Australia (five from retailers, two from machines manufacturers) and we are still in contact with them. I can state that's a success story!

David Massat, Sales Director OEM and Export

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Since July 2000, Forkliftaction News has been your guide to the developments that are shaping your industry.

Starting today we are also looking back on some of the key news stories from our extensive news archive.

In the news email and on the website, you'll see links to stories that were 'leading our news' multiple years ago, with topics spanning world-first products, big acquisitions, and major industry shifts.
We hope you enjoy this unique insight into the materials handling industry!

PREMIUM business

RAEDER-VOGEL
Innovative high-quality wheels and castors for the forklift industry.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
This week Forkliftaction News is celebrating its 25th anniversary! A wonderful achievement given we launched at a time when just 6% of the world’s population were internet users, according to Internet World Stats . Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing stories about our history and rolling out more celebrations, so keep an eye out... Continue reading

PREMIUM business

Bolzoni SpA (Group HQ)
Manufacturer of Lift Truck Attachments, Forks and Lift Tables, with the most extensive range in the market.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Since July 2000, Forkliftaction News has been your guide to the developments that are shaping your industry.

Starting today we are also looking back on some of the key news stories from our extensive news archive.

In the news email and on the website, you'll see links to stories that were 'leading our news' multiple years ago, with topics spanning world-first products, big acquisitions, and major industry shifts.
We hope you enjoy this unique insight into the materials handling industry!