Climate change: Can working boats hit net zero target?

From patrolling harbours to ferrying maintenance crews to and from wind farms, workboats are the life blood of our rivers and coasts.

But, just like the shipping industry, tough questions are being asked about how the sector can play its part in tackling climate change.

With the ambition of net zero by 2050 new technologies are being trialled to reduce the impact of an industry reliant on fossil fuels.

But cost and practicalities threaten the transformation with being left dragging its anchors.

For Alg Bennett from Lymington it was frustration with what was on offer that led to his greener voyage. Switching from traditional outboard engines to an electric alternative, he was disappointed with the battery options.

"We ended up actually designing and building our own batteries in waterproof cases so we could take them on and off the boat, making them ultra portable but more importantly ultra safe."

To Alg the advantages of a switch to a cleaner, greener propulsion system are obvious.

"We can take away all of the pollutants and problems that are going in the water and we see that at Lymington, we see that at Christchurch. We see the slick of oil around - and we can remove that."

Turning our waters greener is an emerging theme at industry shows like Seawork in Southampton.

It brings together exhibitors from around the world to put on show the latest technologies. In between the networking and trade there is talk about how to decarbonise the sector

"Reducing use of fossil fuels is the first stop." says Seawork organiser Andrew Webster.

"Optimising the way engines are being used, including the use of AI. And then different fuels like hydrogen or ammonia or battery."

For larger vessels - like those built by Isle of Wight company Diverse Marine - advancements in engine efficiency are playing a key role.

But Simon Thomson, international business development director, warns there is no single solution for how the sector hits its target.

"If we can refine the fuel, refine the system, reduce the carbon output - then it has to be a benefit. But it's a problem - I don't think anybody can answer that question."

Onboard the Wyke Castle, tug systems to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have been installed. The vessel currently runs on marine gas oil (MGO) but there is potential to swap to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in the future.

It burns with much lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) although the impact on the climate of its production has been questioned.

"Cost will always be the final factor I believe when it comes to companies" says Mark Foster, marine engineering manager at Portland Harbour Authority.

"The cheaper it becomes, the more it is on the market - much like with solar panels. The lower the cost comes down, the more readily available it is - the more people that will adopt it."

What is clear from Seawork is that the maritime industry, including workboats, is changing. The question - is it changing fast enough?