London, UK – 30th September 2025 – Spaera, a pioneer in maritime innovation and sustainable ship design, is proud to announce it has been awarded its third successive grant through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme.
This funding will enable Spaera to lead a groundbreaking consortium with the University of Southampton and Scotline Ltd, aimed at pushing the frontiers of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis for maritime. The project will focus on unlocking new analysis approaches that accelerate the development and improve the performance of wind propulsion for commercial maritime, as well as next-generation, ultra-efficient ships.
This project aims to directly support the global maritime industry's efforts to decarbonise, by combining world-class academic research, and real-world commercial expertise, to progress cutting-edge digital maritime simulation. Central to the project is developing the computational fluid dynamics methodology to efficiently simulate real-world wind propulsion dynamics on board any ship, allowing for more rapid and accurate development of wind-ready vessels.
“Winning the CMDC6 grant is a tremendous milestone for Spaera, and builds upon our work in both CMDC4 and SSAF. Partnering with the University of Southampton and Scotline Ltd gives us the perfect balance of research excellence and practical shipping experience. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of maritime engineering and taking a huge step toward our goal of delivering the world’s most efficient ships - that fully exploit the potential of a wind first design.”
- Rob Palin, Spaera Founder
“We are delighted to collaborate with Spaera and Scotline on this Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 6 project. By bringing together our expertise in high-fidelity simulation and maritime engineering with industry partners, we aim to create practical digital tools that accelerate the deployment of wind propulsion technologies. This initiative strengthens our shared ambition of reducing emissions across the wider shipping industry.”
- Professor Tahsin Tezdogan, University of Southampton
“Scotline are keen to be a part of projects like this which could make a real step forward in decarbonisation for the industry. Scotline are pleased to continue supporting Spaera with their Clean Maritime projects and in their journey of bringing a viable wind-assisted vessel to the market.”
- Rob Millatt, Director at Scotline Ltd
Spaera is an innovator in maritime technology dedicated to transforming global shipping through clean, efficient, and future-proof solutions. We are focused on computational modelling utilising latest data analysis techniques to inform on wind propulsion technology, ship design optimisation, renewable fuel sources, next generation prime mover technology, operations, and regulatory. Spaera is developing and integrating the solutions required for a net-zero future.
The University of Southampton is a world-leading centre for marine and maritime research, education and innovation. Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) brings together experts from across disciplines including engineering, ocean and earth science, law, and archaeology to address the complex challenges facing our oceans and the global maritime sector.
Working with industry, government and international partners, the University combines cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art facilities, such as the UK’s largest university towing tank and advanced high-performance computing, to deliver sustainable solutions for the future of shipping and ocean use. Through this work, Southampton educates the next generation of maritime leaders and provides knowledge and innovation that inform industry practice and policy worldwide
Scotline operates a fleet of thirteen vessels under the British and Isle of Man Flags. It has exclusive use of two terminals at Rochester on the River Medway and operates a further independent timber terminal at Inverness. From these terminals it can arrange competitive distribution across England, Scotland and Wales.
This project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to over 247 projects, leveraging over £107m private investment. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship CMDC and ZEVI competitions. Maritime is a key sector which needs to find innovative solutions to its carbon footprint in order to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. The UK SHORE programme is a key part of that work, supporting research and development to unlock an industry-led transition towards Net Zero and deliver economic growth, in line with the Government’s missions and the Plan for Change. The UK SHORE programme consists of multiple headline projects situated all across the UK from Belfast and Orkney to Cornwall and Portsmouth and all points in between – showcasing the exceptional, highly-skilled work being delivered throughout the UK economy. UK SHORE is supporting 500 organisations, unlocking investment potential in UK technologies, at UK ports and at UK shipyards.
For more information please contact https://www.spaera.eco/contact