The UK government has unveiled more than £1.1 billion in new investment to cut shipping emissions and boost jobs in coastal towns.

Announced at London International Shipping Week, the package includes £448 million in public funding for clean maritime technology and £700 million in private investment for ports and infrastructure.

The government says the funding will support innovation in electric, hydrogen, ammonia and wind-powered shipping, while creating thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, construction and green technology.

Projects already underway include:

Shore power systems allowing ships to plug into the grid instead of burning fuel at dock.

Wingsail technology developed in Scotland, cutting emissions by up to 40%.

A growing network of electric charging points at UK ports.

Local economies are set to benefit: Peel Ports will invest £300m across Liverpool, Hunterston and Great Yarmouth, while Port of Tyne’s £150m expansion could create up to 12,000 jobs. NatPower Marine will also invest £250m in shore power, supporting more than 2,000 jobs.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment would “supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal towns and cities” while moving the UK closer to net zero shipping by 2050.

The government is also streamlining port planning rules and launching a UK cruise growth plan to secure further private investment in a sector already worth £5.8bn to the economy.