CARISBROOKE Shipping is set to trial a £2.3M hydrogen engine onboard one of its vessels.

The 40-day trial will see a single-fuel hydrogen 50kW integrated into a containerised system and mounted on the deck of one of its cargo vessels.

It follows simulations and rigorous testing and is made possible through a partnership with Carnot.

In early 2025, the engine will partially supply electrical power to the vessel, and in the future, this technology could be used to power tugboats, ferries, cargo vessels, tankers and container ships.

Carisbrooke Shipping is a family-owned business which has operated for more than 50 years.

Its aim is to lead the industry by building new, more efficient vessels, to replace the existing ones.

For the first time, the UK Government is funding the development of new clean maritime technology across a two-year period.

The funding comes from the third round of the Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration competition, which focuses on developing a range of clean maritime technologies including hydrogen, ammonia, electric and wind power.

Archie Watts-Farmer, Carnot founder, said: “Over the last two years, Carisbrooke has been championing our efforts in bringing a double efficiency fuel agnostic engine technology capable of halving emissions using traditional fuels or reducing marine emissions to zero using next generation fuels.

“They have gone over and above to provide us with information and support relating to operations, regulations and business case development, and we would not have been successful without their involvement.”