In a collaboration between Belfast Harbour and Artemis, they have designed and developed the EF-12 Pilot as part of a Department for Transport UK Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition feasibility study.

Belfast Harbour is proud to have supported Artemis Technologies, a pioneering leader in the development of innovative maritime technologies, in designing and developing the ground-breaking Artemis EF-12 Pilot.

This cutting-edge pilot boat represents a major milestone in sustainable maritime solutions, combining advanced electric propulsion with cutting-edge hydrofoil technology to provide unmatched efficiency and safety in pilotage operations.

With a top speed of 32 knots and a foiling range of 55 nautical miles, the 100% electric Artemis EF-12 Pilot is testament to Artemis Technology’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry.

This latest creation was supported by the UK Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration competition (CMDC), with Artemis Technologies working closely in partnership with Belfast Harbour on a feasibility study regarding the potential of the Artemis eFoiler® technology to decarbonise global pilot boat operations.

The Artemis EF-12 Pilot was developed following interest from pilot boat operators across the globe, and will deliver market leading crew comfort and stability, whilst meeting the specific requirements unique to this challenging operation.

Uniquely the vessel’s ability to actively stabilise the vessel’s roll, pitch, and heave during the transfer of pilots, greatly reduces the risks associated with this important but dangerous manoeuvrer.

Dr Iain Percy OBE, CEO of Artemis Technologies, commented: “We are incredibly excited to introduce the Artemis EF-12 Pilot to the maritime industry. This innovative vessel is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and efficiency in maritime transportation. We believe the Artemis eFoiler® pilot boat will set new standards for pilotage operations globally.

During the 8-month feasibility study we undertook real world data collection & analysis of Belfast Harbour’s pilot operations allowing us to understand typical pilot vessel duty cycles and operational requirements. An exact virtual copy of Belfast Harbour’s existing pilot vessel was created and input into our Digital Twin tool-chain allowing a virtual study comparing the Artemis EF-12 Pilot design against this real-world operational pilot vessel.

Belfast Harbour stakeholders were involved throughout the whole process and validated the findings of the study through virtual design assessments, reviews of results, and virtual trials driving the EF-12 Pilot in our full-motion platform simulator.”

Analysis of the data collected during our research and testing has indicated that the Artemis EF-12 Pilot would deliver significant cost savings over the expected lifespan of a vessel, prevent the release of CO2e, and reduce the relative motions between pilot vessel and ship during pilot transfer, when compared to the current vessels working in this sector of the ports’ industry.

Jamie Faulkner, Deputy Harbour Master at Belfast Harbour, said: “The feasibility study allowed us to thoroughly examine the operation of our pilot boats, encompassing aspects such as fuel consumption, service and maintenance costs, and the environmental impact. It also enabled me to spend time on Artemis’ prototype vessel, Pioneer of Belfast. Whilst it was a great experience to be gliding through the port at 25 knots with virtually no wake, what was most important for us was the reduction in both noise and vibration, as well as improved stability at sea.

It’s been great to have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the team at Artemis Technologies, they have grasped the essential elements of pilot boat operations, when working on the design of the Artemis EF-12 Pilot.”

Artemis Technologies is dedicated to creating solutions that reduce the environmental impact of maritime operations while improving efficiency and safety. The Artemis EF-12 Pilot is a shining example of their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

For more information about the Artemis EF-12 Pilot and Artemis Technologies, visit HERE.

A first ever green submarine study has been named as one of fifty-five winning projects of a £23m UK Government funded R&D competition, announced today by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in Greenwich during the 'greenest' London International Shipping Week (LISW21).  

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for Green Industrial Revolution, is supporting the development of innovative technology to propel forward the Government’s commitment to have zero emission ships operating commercially by 2025 – creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the nation and establishing the UK as world leaders in clean maritime.

A fully automated net positive submarine fleet, powered entirely on green hydrogen, could help cleanse the oceans of toxic pollution by collecting microplastics on its pilot route between Glasgow and Belfast. While transporting cargo shipments, the fleet could secure significant emission savings of 27 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the first year of operation, with an overall mission to reduce 300m tonnes of CO2 emission as the fleet grows.

• Green submarine and shipping charge-points powered by offshore wind turbines will receive share of £23m R&D competition     
• Maritime Minister supports the opening of the UK’s greenest cruise terminal at the Port of Southampton
• Comes as UK sets out intention to eliminate all emissions from shipping by 2050 

Also amongst the winners is an all-electric charge-point connected to an offshore wind turbine. The charge-points will be able to power boats using 100% renewable energy generated from the turbine offering potential savings of up to 131,100 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year - the equivalent of removing  over 62,000 cars from our roads. Similar to roadside Electric Vehicle chargepoints, these will be operated by semi-automated control, meaning that sailors can moor up by the wind turbine chargepoint, plug in, charge up, then sail on. 

Announcing the winners in Greenwich, the heart of British maritime on the state-of-the art Royal Navy ship, HMS Albion, the Transport Secretary outlined how this is the latest in a string of Government initiatives aimed at cutting emissions in the sector as part of London International Shipping Week – including joining other nations in supporting a world leading absolute zero target for international shipping emissions by 2050.   

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “As a proud island nation built on our maritime prowess, it is only right that we lead by example when it comes to decarbonising the sector and building back greener.    

“The projects announced today showcase the best of British innovation; revolutionising existing technology and infrastructure to slash emissions, create jobs and get us another step closer to our decarbonisation targets.”   

This comes as Maritime Minister Robert Courts supports the opening of the UK’s greenest cruise terminal. The Horizon Cruise Terminal at the Port of Southampton, Europe’s leading cruise turnaround port, is the first of its kind, using an innovative mix of solar panelled roofing and clean energy shore power plug-in charging for ships - pioneering the way towards greener cruising.

Maritime Minister, Robert Courts said: “As the cruising sector bounces back from the pandemic, it’s important that our environmental commitments are at the heart of everything we do.   

“Building state-of-the-art green infrastructure at cruise terminals, helps us move towards cleaner cruising; creating more spaces for these ships to dock and putting us on track to hit Net Zero by 2050.”   

Founder & CEO of Oceanways, Dhruv Boruah said “We would like to thank our Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP for selecting Oceanways to support DfT’s mission to decarbonise shipping and aid our Prime Minister's commitment to build back better. Time is running out and it is imperative we don’t settle for 1% more efficiency in an existing system, but instead radically re-think to create innovative solutions.

“It is not just #JetZero and Oceanways has assembled a world-class team to pioneer #SubZero by creating the new market of net positive underwater transport systems with zero-emission cargo submarines as an innovative tool to decarbonise shipping and clean up our ocean”

Paul Cairns, Managing Director of MJR Power & Automation said: “We are delighted to have been selected as one of the winners of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which will enable us to demonstrate our world leading technology for offshore charging of vessels, and our commitment to supporting decarbonisation of marine operations.    

“The support of DfT and InnovateUK is crucial to delivering Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050 and we are proud to be recipients of their support.”  

The initiatives follow on from the Government’s previous commitments outlined in the world-leading Transport Decarbonisation Plan to explore the establishment of a dedicated function for creating zero-emission ship building and R&D for autonomous vessel sailings, under the function of UK Shore. 

Based in the Department for Transport, UK Shore will unlock the necessary industry investment in clean maritime technologies, tackling supply and demand side barriers as well as developing infrastructure and consumer confidence in clean maritime technologies.