Belfast based Artemis Technologies, which is a Northern Ireland company, is bringing its ‘flying’ electrical boats to international markets after receiving millions of pounds in backing.

The financial development reports Belfast Telegraph, ushers in a new era for the city’s maritime capabilities as Artemis Technologies proceeds to full steam ahead with its range of electric powered foiling workboats.

Artemis had launched last year the world’s first commercially viable 100 per cent electric foiling workboat and has now secured financing through a £2 million backing from the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, otherwise best known under the brand, HSBC, UK. Afloat adds this is where one of their boats, the 11.5m Pioneer of Belfast (above) in October took to the waters of London whilst on the Thames.

The nautical firm’s business is located in close proximity to where the White Star liner, Titanic was built at Harland & Wolff, at the iconic Belfast shipyard. With the funding of Artemis Technologies, this is set to increase production capacity to enable it to commence serial production of its electric foiling workboats in response to growing demand.

Already Artemis has received a number of orders globally. In addition such order account for those sector in the Offshore Wind, Workboat, Defence and Smart Mobility industries which have also shown an interest in its zero-emission vessels.

The business is also currently developing a high-speed passenger ferry, due to hit the water next year as Afloat previously reported on a trial basis across Belfast Lough, between the city and Bangor.  

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David Tyler of Belfast Harbour based Artemis Technologies, will present the 'Artemis eFoiler®: Decarbonising Maritime Transport' at the Europort 2023 Maritime Exhibition held in the major Dutch port of Rotterdam.

At the Europort’s Green Stage (Hall 4) is where David on Wednesday (8 Nov.) at 1100hrs will be at the walk-in-theatre to discuss the revolutionary Artemis eFoiler® as Afloat previously reported the 11.5 metre electric foiling vessel named “Pioneer of Belfast” . The prototype can fly over the water, using significantly less energy than a conventional workboat with high-speed re-charging technology also developed.

Artemis Technologies which launched the Artemis eFoiler® in 2022 with its 100% electric, high-speed foiling workboat prototype on Belfast Lough, aims to one step closer to providing high-speed zero-emission maritime transport to the masses. To register for this particular presentation, register here for Europort 2023.

Other exhibitors and partners during Europort 2023 (3-7 November) will also be giving short presentations and share their insights in the field of green shipping.

Europort is organized in the world port city of Rotterdam, where the international maritime exhibition is a meeting place for innovative technology and complex shipbuilding.

With an average of 25,000 professional visitors and 1,000 exhibiting companies Europort belongs to the world’s largest maritime meeting & knowledge sharing B2B platforms.

The seas, channels and river are deeply rooted in The Netherlands’ DNA and so the Dutch are globally renowned for challenging these waters and for their maritime expertise on extraordinary projects.

While the exhibition will span every aspect of the maritime world, it is therefore only natural that Europort has a strong focus on high-tech ships. These nine categories of special-purpose vessels will be particularly prominent at Europort.

Leading maritime design and applied technologies company Artemis Technologies has unveiled the design of its new fully electric EF-24 Passenger vessel, targeting the global high-speed ferry market.

And it’s set to make its debut in 2024 on a route between Belfast and Bangor on Belfast Lough.

The ferry is among several zero-emission vessels being developed by the Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies, designed to provide commercially viable green transport solutions for operators, cities and governments across the world.

With a top speed of 38 knots, the EF-24 Passenger ferry offers a range of 115 nautical miles at a 25 knots cruise speed and produces fuel savings of up to 85% compared to conventional high-speed diesel ferries.

Powered by the patented Artemis eFoiler electric propulsion system, the 24m vessels will fly above the water, providing a comfortable ride for up to 150 passengers on board, mitigating effects of seasickness and producing minimal wake at high-speed, significantly reducing the impact on shorelines.

Introducing the EF-24 Passenger, Artemis Technologies’ chief executive Dr Iain Percy OBE said: “We have combined our experience from the worlds of high-performance sailing, motorsports, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing to design and develop an electric propulsion system that is quite simply a game changer for the maritime industry.

The EF 24 Passenger is being touted as a commercially viable green transport solution for operators, cities and governments across the world | Credit: Artemis Technologies

“Our high-speed passenger ferry provides a cost-effective public transport solution that helps address air pollution, congestion, and noise.

“By encouraging multimodal transport in urban areas, we will enable cities around the world to utilise and benefit from the untapped potential of their waterways.

“With hydrofoils that lift the boats out of the water, we are dramatically reducing drag. This is coupled with a submerged electric drivetrain that is exceptionally efficient, as proven through rigorous testing with our 12m eFoiler workboat, validating our digital simulations and performance prediction.”

Artemis Technologies promises that the ferries will be fully accessible and spacious with a range of facilities on board including bike racks, cabin bag and overhead storage, baby changing facilities and charging points.

The vessels will also feature a high-speed collision avoidance system developed with ECIT, part of Queen’s University Belfast. The system will ensure the safety of operations in port and close to shore by safely diverting the ferry on an altered path away from sea life, wildlife, debris and other in-water objects that might otherwise be obscured from view.

Artemis Technologies has partnered with Condor Ferries to operate a pilot scheme using the first EF-24 Passenger ferry. This will come into service in 2024, running between Belfast and Bangor in Northern Ireland.

Percy added: “The zero-emission ferry that will be seen departing Belfast in 2024, aptly named ‘Zero’, will be the first we build at our manufacturing hub in the city, but it is only the start.

“Many water-based cities around the world are grappling with the challenge of growing populations, congestion, and pollution. The EF-24 Passenger can provide an immediate green transport solution that competes economically with road and rail in places like San Francisco, New York, Venice, Istanbul, Dubai and Singapore – anywhere around the globe that is seeking sustainable transport alternatives that balance the requirement for people to continue to move around with the need to reduce carbon emissions.

“Especially where new infrastructure is required like a new road or rail line, this ferry will not only be the cheapest, but also the fastest and least disruptive way to decarbonise transport networks in water-based cities.”
 
John Napton, CEO of Condor Ferries, added: “Green vessels like the EF-24 Passenger ferry perfectly provide that clean alternative to traditional diesel ferries. We are thrilled to partner with Artemis Technologies and the Belfast Maritime Consortium to develop these vessels from concept to reality over the coming months and look forward to being the first operator to set sail in 2024 with the world’s most advanced zero-emission foiling fast ferry.”

Earlier this year, Artemis Technologies launched the world’s largest 100% electric foiling vessel, Pioneer of Belfast, and unveiled an electric workboat range including a 12m multi-purpose workboat and a 12m crew transfer vessel with a 24m crew transfer vessel also currently under development.

Belfast Lough-based Artemis Technologies, the global leader in green maritime innovation, has launched to market the world’s first commercially viable 100% electric, high-speed foiling workboat range.

The first commercial vessels to be built in Belfast in many decades, are billed as the greenest workboats on the planet, have a range of 60 miles and top speed of 34 knots and can be recharged in one hour and create little wake.

The launch represents a £12 million investment in R&D and is the first in a series of zero-emission vessels to be developed by Artemis, led by two-time Olympic sailing champion Iain Percy, that will create 1,000 jobs over the next decade.

The announcement coincides with the publication of a Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report for Maritime UK that put the value of the sector to the UK at £116 billion.

Developed and built in Belfast, the zero-emission vessels are the greenest workboats on the planet and represent a £12 million investment in research and development.

With a top speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles at 25 knots cruise speed, the vessels produce incredible energy savings of up to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuel workboats.

Powered by the revolutionary Artemis eFoiler propulsion system, the workboats fly silently above the water, ensuring an exceptionally comfortable gliding experience no matter the sea conditions and creating minimal wake, making them an ideal solution for traditionally busy waterways.

As Afloat reported previously, aimed specifically at the global workboat and crew transfer market, Artemis Technologies’ electric foiling workboat range ensures robustness and reliability that has been developed and tested on the world’s most advanced marine digital twin simulator located in Belfast.

The company, which currently employs 60 people, is developing a range of green transport solutions which it anticipates will create 1,000 jobs over the next decade.

Artemis Technologies is a spin-off from the Artemis Racing team that competed in the America’s Cup of which its founder, two-time Olympic champion Dr Iain Percy OBE is a four-time veteran.

He said: “Combining our experience from the worlds of high-performance sailing, motorsports and advanced manufacturing, the electric propulsion system that we’ve designed and developed is an absolute game changer for the industry in terms of range, costs savings and minimal wake created.

“With hydrofoils that lift the boats out of the water, we are dramatically reducing drag. This is coupled with a submerged electric drivetrain that is exceptionally efficient, as proven through rigorous testing with our partners, confirming what we had discovered through our own onshore digital simulations.

The minimal wake caused by Artemis Technologies’ unique electric foiling system ensures optimal protection for the marine environment while virtually eliminating noise and air pollution

“The ride comfort of a hydrofoiling vessel through a large seaway has to be experienced to be believed, offering a completely smooth journey whatever the sea state.

“This will allow engineers in crew transfer vessels or port operations to get to their destination and deliver their services without discomfort.

“This is only the beginning. As our vessels transform the commercial workboat and city-to-city passenger ferry sectors over the coming years, Belfast and the UK will be at the forefront, creating thousands of jobs across the supply chain and heralding a green shipbuilding revolution.

“With the global small boat market worth $70 billion, we are immensely proud to launch our first range of zero-emission vessels for the workboat sector, from which we have already received significant pre-market interest.

“This is a hugely significant milestone not only for us but in global decarbonisation efforts with the International Maritime Organization requiring emissions to be halved by 2050.”

Artemis Technologies’ full workboat range includes an 11.5M multi-purpose workboat and a 12M crew transfer vessel. A 24M crew transfer vessel is also currently under development.

The launch comes as a new Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report, commissioned by Maritime UK, puts the economic impact of UK maritime at £116 billion. With Northern Ireland’s maritime industry directly contributing more than £2 billion to the UK economy, a bigger impact than Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber combined.

Maritime UK chair Sarah Kenny said: “As an island nation, maritime surrounds all of us, and its impact is felt in every community across the UK.

“We saw that during the pandemic, through the provision of vital supplies, and we are seeing it now as we bounce back. With maritime driving the net zero agenda and providing skilled jobs in all corners of the country.

“Artemis Technologies’ launch today shows our heritage as maritime pioneers will continue long into the future. But continued collaboration with government, and investment, will be the key to realising our full potential.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE said:

“The talent and expertise at Artemis Technologies is leading the way in maritime decarbonisation and playing an important role in helping Northern Ireland and the UK reach our Net Zero targets.

“Artemis is making a positive contribution to the UK’s economy, supporting innovation and job growth through the development of zero-emission technology.

"I am delighted that such amazing technology has been developed in Northern Ireland and to have been able to see the eFoiler technology up close during a recent showcase in Belfast.

“The launch of this range of green vessels by Artemis Technologies is a truly positive step in the fight against climate change.”

Leo Hambro, Commercial Director, at Tidal Transit, which operates a fleet of purpose-built offshore wind crew transfer vessels in waters around the UK and overseas said:

“Having worked closely with Artemis Technologies, as part of the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), funded by the Department for Transport, today’s launch marks a sea-change in how workboat operators will view electric foiling boats.

“Given the remarkable range, incredible speed and comfortable ride, this workboat is truly a game-changer for our sector as it looks to cut carbon emissions across the industry.”

Artemis Technologies in Belfast has unveiled a new powerboat simulation capability utilising its hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator. This latest development from the green maritime innovator comes just as the company prepares to launch its revolutionary Artemis eFoiler propelled 11m workboat.

The simulator has been fitted with a full-scale cabin housing an identical console and human-machine-interface (HMI) to the 11m technology demonstrator, and will provide a valuable engineering tool and pilot training aid, as the company develops a range of new zero-emission flying vessels.

It is the first bespoke powerboat cabin to be added to the simulator, following years of development in high-performance yacht racing applications, including the America’s Cup and SailGP.

Artemis Technologies CEO Dr Iain Percy OBE said: “As a company, we’ve been heavily invested in simulation of marine craft for many years, with the focus very much on the professional racing side.

“Utilising our HIL simulator in this way allows us to accurately run the physics model of the workboat as it would be powered by the Artemis eFoiler".

“Effectively, we’ve created an electric zero-emission foiling boat in the simulator, an incredibly powerful tool for engineering, for training and for control and system development.

“It means we can test the human-machine-interface, flight control and slow speed manoeuvring systems in a range of real-life scenarios across a vast range of environments such as around wind farms or in docks, and various weather conditions.

“Using this technology like this significantly streamlines the development and prototyping process, allowing us to bring our transformative zero emission vessels to market in a shorter time than would have been the case relying on traditional methods.

“As a result, we can look forward to commencing sea trials of the workboat in the very near future.”

Romain Ingouf, Technical Director, Artemis Technologies, added:

“The simulator is a critical part of our development, and we have used it extensively during initial testing and validation of our flight control solutions for the 11m workboat".

“It allows us to de-risk the solution progressively going from model-in-the-loop, all the way through to hardware-in-the-loop before real-life testing.

“The system is very much like an autopilot in an aeroplane. It facilitates safe operation for the pilot, reducing the amount of thinking that they have to do and allowing them to focus on key functionality, such as heading and speed control.”

The workboat will have a cruising speed of 25 kts, a top speed of over 30 kts, and an impressive range of 60 NM at cruising speed.

The development of the powerboat simulator was supported by the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CDMC), which was launched in March 2021 as part of the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan. Building on the vision set out in the Department for Transport’s Clean maritime plan 2019, the competition has allocated up to £23,259,000 match-funding to UK innovators to support the design and development of zero-emission vessel technologies and greener ports through a series of technology trials and feasibility studies.

Originally built for Artemis Racing when the team took part in the America’s Cup, the HIL simulator can be modified with cabin and cockpit variations according to the requirements of vessels to be tested, either by Artemis Technologies or external parties.

The HIL simulator features a central six degrees of freedom platform similar to those used for flight and motorsport simulators, with a 4.5 metre high, 210-degree screen, which conveys images from three laser phosphor projectors.

Artemis Technologies has opened a new facility in Belfast as it prepares to commence testing of its transformative new Artemis eFoiler(R) electric propulsion system.

The 42,200 sq ft facility in Titanic Quarter’s Channel Commercial Park, will house the company’s manufacturing and engineering teams as it brings to market a range of green technologies and vessels including workboats, passenger ferries, leisure craft, as well as Crew Transfer Vessels for the offshore wind sector.

The first test vessel to be powered by Artemis Technologies’ revolutionary Artemis eFoiler(R) electric propulsion system, an 11m workboat, is expected to take to the water in a matter of weeks.

Artemis Technologies Commercial Director David Tyler said:

“It’s incredibly exciting to announce a major milestone for Artemis Technologies, moving into our new facility here in Belfast Harbour. Right in the heart of the Titanic Quarter, and next to several of our Belfast Maritime Consortium partners.

“It is an important step forward in our mission to help deliver a sustainable maritime future and brings us closer to returning commercial shipbuilding to Belfast - one of the key drivers behind our decision to locate in Northern Ireland.

“From this new facility, we will be able to directly launch our first prototype vessel into the waters of Belfast and begin the crucial phase of real-life testing.

“What we will create here in Northern Ireland, we hope will create an impact on a global scale, providing commercially viable solutions that will help not just the UK, but countries across the world to realise their net zero targets.”

James Eyre, Commercial Director, Titanic Quarter added:

“We are delighted to welcome Artemis Technologies to Channel Commercial Park, which is one of Belfast’s largest and most versatile business parks. Situated in the heart of the city’s Innovation District, Titanic Quarter is home to a growing cluster of leading businesses who are pioneering solutions to combat global climate change and decarbonisation. We wish Artemis every success in their new facility here.”

Artemis Technologies Technical Director, Romain Ingouf commented:

“The Queen’s Island facility is going to allow us to turn our prototyping activities into a production line for the Artemis eFoiler(R) propulsion system. Over the next year or so we’ll need to double our workforce to support this activity.

We currently have two vessels here, our first Artemis eFoiler(R) propelled prototype, an 11m workboat, as well as an 11m sister ship, enabling us to bench mark our green propulsion system against a conventional gasoline propelled vessel.”

The development of the vessels is complemented by Artemis Technologies’ advanced simulator located at its Lisburn facility, which informs the design process pre-build to ensure a streamlined and efficient manufacturing project.

Established in 2017, Artemis Technologies is the lead partner of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, a 13-member syndicate which has brought together a range of established and young firms, academia and public bodies to design and build zero-emission high-speed ferries in the city.

The consortium was awarded £33 million by UKRI’s flagship Strength in Places Fund for the £60m project.

A study, led by high-performance maritime design and applied technologies company Artemis Technologies based on Belfast Lough has been awarded £533,000 to investigate transformative solutions to decarbonise crew transfer vessel (CTV) operations in the offshore wind sector.

The grant, announced at London International Shipping Week, has been awarded as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

Artemis Technologies is partnering with Tidal Transit, an experienced CTV owner and operator; ORE Catapult, a research technology organisation specialising in the offshore renewables sector; and Lloyd’s Register, a globally respected maritime classification society.

It will seek to demonstrate the transformative power of the revolutionary Artemis eFoilerTM electric propulsion system to drive down carbon emissions in global CTV operations.

Dr Iain Percy OBE, CEO at Artemis Technologies said: “Operating for an average of 250 days a year, crew transfer vessels burn around 1,500 litres of diesel a day. Equating to almost 475,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions across the UK and EU annually, they are a major pollutant.

“With global offshore wind capacity set to soar over the coming decades, including the UK government targeting a four-fold increase by 2030, it is imperative that a solution to decarbonise CTV operations is brought to market quickly.

“We are pleased to be leading this project alongside a number of expert partners. Working together, industry can create the disruptive solutions required to enable the decarbonisation of CTV operations in line with global goals to reduce CO2 emissions.”

The study will use digital twin technology and include a full mission simulation of an eFoilerTM propelled CTV undertaking crew transfer operations, as well as provide a regulatory roadmap towards certification of the technology.

Leo Hambro, Commercial Director, Tidal Transit added: “We are very excited to be working with Artemis Technologies on this game-changing CTV design change. As a green industry, we need to find a way to utilise the vast quantity of cheap zero-carbon electricity produced by our clients and shift away from our reliance on diesel. The eFoiler aims to deliver an electric solution that would work even at the most far from shore projects over time and will revolutionise the industry.”

Additionally, the companies are partnering on a £2.8m project led by MJM Power which will test an on-turbine electrical vessel charging system.

Artemis Technologies is also part of the Northern Ireland Green Seas consortium, led by Power NI, which is receiving £398,000 in funding to investigate shore power and hydrogen bunkering solutions.

Announced in March 2020, and part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan to position the UK at the forefront of green shipbuilding and maritime technology, the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition is a £20m investment from government alongside a further £10m from industry to reduce emissions from the maritime sector.

The programme is supporting 55 projects across the UK, including projects in Scotland, Northern Ireland and from the south-west to the north-east of England.

Artemis Technologies, based in Belfast Harbour, has appointed Simon Locke, the former Head of Manufacturing at Dyson, as the company’s new Director of Manufacturing.

Simon was a founding member of the team that created Dyson’s revolutionary digital motor and will be responsible for the manufacturing of the Artemis eFoilerᵀᴹ, a unique electric hydrofoiling propulsion system that will power the green vessels of the future. A disruptive innovation that will make high-speed zero-emission maritime transport commercially viable for the first time.

Simon commented: “I am proud to be joining the Artemis Technologies team as it works towards the decarbonisation of maritime and playing its part in helping the UK achieve net-zero.

“I’m looking forward to facing new challenges, utilising the knowledge of developing and industrialising a wide variety of products and pioneering technologies, to create incredible new solutions that will change the face of maritime.

“What really excites me, and what attracted me to make the move to Artemis Technologies was the opportunity to really push forward the boundaries of new technologies, be part of the electric revolution and play a role in a project that will make a huge impact on sustainability and climate change.

“Having started at Dyson over 20 years ago, I was privileged to experience its rise to global recognition. That same energy is here at Artemis Technologies – there’s nowhere else in the world this close to the leading edge of advancing marine technology.”

Simon’s appointment is the latest high-profile arrival at Artemis Technologies as the company continues a major recruitment drive.

As the lead partner in the Belfast Maritime Consortium’s bid to deliver transformative new marine technology, Artemis Technologies anticipates staff numbers to more than treble to 100 by early 2022 as the project gains momentum.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr Iain Percy OBE, CEO, Artemis Technologies, said:

“As we continue to strive to deliver real innovation through unique solutions and products, Simon’s arrival is a true reflection of the calibre of work we wish to achieve here at Artemis Technologies. “Having worked across a plethora of projects and products Simon’s wealth of knowledge, expertise, aptitude and reputability will assist our programme to develop a new class of zero-emission high speed vessels of the future while aiding the creation of a high-tech maritime innovation hub right here in Northern Ireland.”

Dyson, founded by tech tycoon Sir James Dyson in 1991 designs and manufactures various household appliances such as vacuums, air purifiers, heaters, hand dryers, bladeless fans, hair dryers, and lights. The firm centred around invention and improvement sells in over 30 countries employing more than 12,000 people worldwide.

Belfast Lough based Artemis Technologies has moved to the next phase in the development of its Artemis eFoilerTM electric propulsion system, announcing plans to launch a technology demonstrator in 2021.

Announced by Artemis Technologies COO, Prof. Mark Gillan, during a presentation to the Workboat Association’s Technical Workgroup yesterday, the first vessel equipped with the transformative Artemis eFoilerTM, will be a multipurpose 11m workboat platform, provided by Tuco Marine Group. The workboat will have a cruising speed of 25 kts, a top speed of over 30 kts, and an impressive range of 60 NM at cruising speed.

The core technologies behind the Artemis eFoilerTM include hydrofoils, flight control system, and an electric drivetrain. All elements have been developed and tested in relevant environments. Through combining these core components, this ground-breaking innovation for commercial vessels, that is radically different from existing products under development, will enable a transition to high-speed zero-emission maritime transport.

Prof. Mark Gillan said: “The Artemis eFoilerTM is a truly transformative innovation that will help commercial operators across the world dramatically reduce their carbon emissions. The electric propulsion system provides significant range at high-speed, whilst also reducing operational costs through substantial fuel savings.

“Up to this point, we have carried out extensive design and engineering work on the foils, drivetrain, and control system. Moving into 2021, we are very excited to commence the manufacturing and testing phase and look forward to beginning sea trials later this year.

“The demonstrator will not only prove the concept, but provide an immediate zero-emission propulsion solution for the workboat market.”

Highly scalable, the technology provides a number of additional operational benefits, and will suit a wide variety of vessels and applications including those used in the offshore wind sector, and for passenger transportation.

Prof. Mark Gillan added “The Artemis eFoilerTM enables vessels to fly over the water, providing an exceptionally comfortable ride, without causing any wake or wash.

“This means minimal disruption to the water surface and surrounding area, thereby protecting shorelines and wildlife, while also allowing vessels to travel at high-speed for longer.”

The Artemis eFoilerTM electric propulsion system is a key component of a new class of zero-emission, high-speed ferries being developed by Artemis Technologies in Northern Ireland, as the lead partner in the Belfast Maritime Consortium’s £60 million UKRI Strength in Places Fund programme.

Artemis Technologies has won the prestigious Maritime 2050 accolade at this year’s Maritime UK Awards.

The award, sponsored by the Department of Transport, recognises the firm’s efforts to capitalise on the opportunities presented within the Government’s Maritime 2050 Strategy.

Founded in 2017, Artemis Technologies, led by double Olympic sailing gold medallist Dr Iain Percy OBE has a mission to lead the decarbonisation of the maritime sector through innovative and sustainable technologies and products.

It is the lead partner in the Belfast Lough Maritime Consortium which aims to design and build zero-emission high-speed ferries in the city by creating a unique electric hydrofoiling propulsion system that will revolutionise the industry.

David Tyler, Commercial Director, who accepted the award commented: “We are extremely proud to have received the Maritime 2050 Award as we continue to work towards developing our transformative electric hydrofoiling propulsion system, the Artemis eFoilerTM that will power green vessels of the future.

“With a recent report from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) indicating that approximately 30% of ship emissions come from domestic voyages – twice as high as previously estimated, it is clear the type of vessels we will develop will play a major part in cutting the release of CO2.

“We are proud that our efforts have been recognised and we appreciate the support and confidence invested in us so far.

“Huge congratulations go out to all of this year’s category finalists and winners.”

The vessels to be developed in Belfast, capable of carrying up to 350 passengers, will require 90 per cent less energy than traditional ferries and produce zero emissions during operation.

It is estimated the project will prevent 77 million cubic metres of CO2 emissions by 2026, helping the UK reach a number of its net zero objectives and realise ambitions set out in the Maritime 2050 Strategy’s Clean Maritime Plan.