Building a Greener Future for the UK Maritime Sector

It is no secret: over 95% of the UK’s trade by volume moves through our ports. But it is also no secret that this industry has a serious emissions problem. And if nothing changes, the environmental impact over the coming decades could be catastrophic.

The good news? Things are already moving in the right direction. The maritime industry has been taking action to bring about change, from developing hydrogen-powered engines, to integrating AI into operations, and even implementing onboard carbon capture systems. And that is just scratching the surface.

To support companies pushing the boundaries of innovation, HMRC offers tax relief through the UK R&D scheme. What does that mean in practice? That businesses can recover part of the money they have invested in innovative projects and reinvest it into future development.

Many businesses across the sector have already benefited from the scheme, which has helped drive not only maritime sustainability, but also national strategies such as Maritime 2050.

Because from the outside, the scheme can seem complex, even rigorous. In many ways, it’s both. Between technical requirements, detailed documentation, and the fear of doing something wrong, many companies simply elect not to try. Or worse, they don’t realise they could qualify at all.

Additionally, they often overlook the fact that the work they are already doing could meet the criteria, whether that is developing new systems, improving existing technology, or running real-world prototype trials.

For this reason, we have created a quick, free tool to help you assess whether your business could benefit from the scheme.

An eligibility check costs you nothing but could deliver a lot. R&D tax relief is here to support companies building cleaner, more efficient and sustainable solutions. And if you are part of that journey, why not see what is possible?

At Easy R&D, we understand the technical, operational, and financial challenges of innovating in this industry. That’s why we handle the entire process for you, from identifying eligible projects, calculating costs, and minimising risks, to preparing all documentation and submitting your claim to HMRC.

No upfront fees, no stress, and no disruption to your day to day.