£15m investment to transform Belfast Harbour into zero-emission transport testing hub
Belfast Harbour is to become a testing centre for next-generation zero-emission transport and energy technologies following the announcement of a £15 million investment.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced the funding on Thursday 15 October, describing the project as a significant boost for Northern Ireland’s growing clean transport and energy sector.
The investment will support the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC), led by Belfast-based Artemis Technologies.
The project will bring together electric vessels, high-power marine charging infrastructure, autonomous transport and advanced energy systems.
Belfast Harbour to become live testing environment
The initiative will use Belfast Harbour as an operational environment for testing how different zero-emission technologies work together.
The project will connect electric vessels, charging infrastructure and transport systems through secure digital twin technology.
Digital twins are virtual representations of physical systems that allow organisations to monitor performance, test scenarios and improve operational efficiency.
By testing these technologies together in a working port, researchers and businesses hope to identify practical solutions that can be adopted commercially.
The project is intended to reduce barriers to introducing cleaner transport technologies while supporting innovation in Northern Ireland.
Economy Minister welcomes investment
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the funding would support economic development and strengthen Northern Ireland’s position in emerging technologies.
She said: “This £15m investment is a significant boost for our growing zero-emission transport and energy sector.”
The Minister said the project would bring together expertise in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technologies and cybersecurity.
She added that supporting innovation and accelerating the development of new technologies were central to building a more productive and sustainable economy.
Investment through Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor
The funding comes from UK Research and Innovation’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
It represents the second project announced from a £30 million allocation to the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor.
The programme supports partnerships between businesses, researchers and public organisations to develop regional innovation and attract further investment.
ZETEC will be delivered by Artemis Technologies in partnership with Belfast Harbour, Digital Catapult, the UK Digital Twin Centre, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies.
Supporting cleaner transport
Artemis Technologies Chief Executive Dr Iain Percy said the project would demonstrate how different technologies could work together to support cleaner transport.
He said the company was focused on turning innovative technologies into practical solutions that deliver real-world benefits.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman also welcomed the investment, highlighting its potential to accelerate the commercial adoption of electric and autonomous transport technologies.
The project is expected to strengthen Belfast’s position in the development of advanced maritime technology and zero-emission transport systems.
External link: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
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