Hi-tech sails, carbon capture and digital logistics share £1.5million freeport grants
9 innovative projects are sharing GBP1.5m in grants from Liverpool City Region. The cash comes from its LCR Freeport Innovation Challenge Fund and LCR Freeport Skills Infrastructure Grant. The former focuses on accelerating research, development and deployment of innovative tech, related to freight and decarbonisation, as well as the digitisation of trade and logistics.
The latter is designed to support further education and help training providers working around the Freeport's priority sectors of logistics, advanced manufacturing, maritime and green energy. "Innovation is at the heart of the Liverpool City Region's future success," stated Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Innovation. "These projects show how our Freeport can be a launchpad for pioneering technologies - from clean shipping solutions to carbon capture and digital logistics.
By backing local innovators, we're not only helping them scale their ideas but also positioning our region as a leader in the industries of tomorrow." READ MORE - GBP25m new funding for creative industries as Liverpool announces "bold and ambitious" GBP10bn 10-year plan[1] Successful projects include GT Green Technologies which will receive GBP150,000 from the Challenge Fund to invest in composite tooling to scale production of a 'Jet Sail' wind propulsion system called 'AirWing' which can cut fuel use and emissions from cargo ships by up to 30%.
Stanlow Terminals will receive GBP250,000 for its CO2 Non-Pipeline Transfer (NPT) Import Terminal linked to early-stage infrastructure design to enable import, storage and onward transport of captured carbon dioxide at Stanlow and Tranmere. Hugh Baird College is one of five recipients of funding through the LCR Freeport Skills Infrastructure Grant, and will use GBP135,000 for a Freight Simulation Suite, creating a digital logistics training hub. The hub will replicate freight forwarding, customs and multimodal operations using real-time simulation software and emissions modelling tools.
"Mersey Maritime is committed to tackling the sector's key priorities: innovation, digitalisation, and developing future skills. The LCR Freeport Innovation Challenge Fund offers a significant opportunity with real financial backing, to accelerate this agenda. "That's why we were eager to support this initiative, which empowers businesses driving practical change in maritime," added Mersey Maritime Chief Executive Ruth Wood. "Our industry is central to unlocking new technologies, boosting economic growth, and helping the region and the UK meet decarbonisation goals.
We believe the Innovation Challenge Fund will be pivotal in turning ideas into action through successful project delivery. Across our extensive maritime ecosystem, innovators are working hard to meet the challenges of transformation." Liverpool City Region Freeport is one of eight freeports in England.
The LCR Freeport is a designated area covering 45km, where a range of economic incentives are available, covering customs, business rates, planning, regeneration, innovation, trade and investment support.
Local councils are able to retain 100% of business rates growth generated by the freeport tax sites - located in Birkenhead, St Helens and Widnes.
Centred on a mix of infrastructure including the deep-water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool - the UK's biggest western facing port, which already handles 45% of trade from the US - the Freeport is the key coastal access point to the UK's largest concentration of manufacturing.