Bringing Clean Energy to Dover
The long and short of it
Innovation rarely happens at speed. In fact, when it comes to major challenges such as the transition to net zero, it can take a LONG time. As a University, we're accelerating it by getting the right people in the right place at the right time.
In the case of this challenge, that place is the Short Straits: the 21 miles between the Kent coast and northern France which acts as the cornerstone of UK-EU trade. It's here that partners Port of Dover, P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Schneider Electric, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Ikigai Capital, JG Maritime Solutions, SSE, ABB and AVL are collaborating with us to create a 'green corridor' between the UK and Europe and set a leading example for the electrification of the maritime sector.
Why get us involved?
When it comes to overcoming a challenge, our University brings what no one else can.
Expertise
Expertise
Researchers in our Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics are experienced in addressing a wide range of transport, logistics, and supply chain problems with sustainability considerations.
Funding
Funding
Our Business Development, Research and Innovation team stay abreast of regional funding opportunities and know what it takes for an application to succeed.
Connections
Connections
We excel in creating networks that cross industry silos, bringing together stakeholders with shared ambitions and leading impactful collaborations.
What we've achieved so far
March 2021 - March 2022
Innovate UK Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition
Kent Business School forms a consortium with Port of Dover, P&O Ferries, Schneider Electric, and Warwick Manufacturing Group. Together we scope out a winning project that will explore the possibility of the electrification of ferries locally.
March 2022
Dover Clean Ferry Power
The team develop innovative tools to help the port/ferry operators to understand the scale of the challenge ahead and the developments needed to address it. We draw up a roadmap towards net zero emissions for the port and outline a future project.
May 2022 - August 2023
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 2
We join DFDS, Irish Ferries, Ikigai Capital, JG Maritime Solutions, SSE and ABB to propose a new project which will further explore the feasibility of a a 'green corridor' between the Port of Dover and the Ports of Calais and Dunkirk.
January 2023
Establishing a green corridor from the UK’s busiest ferry port
KBS support the team to assess the emissions of potential future fuels for both ferries and port infrastructure. They also identify relevant regulations and policy measures needed to deliver a green corridor, and produce a business plan and roadmap.
April 2024 - June 2024
Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund
Momentum and relationships developed through previous projects enable Kent Business School to respond quickly to this limited-time opportunity and secure funding to further collaborate with AVL and DFDS.
November 2024
Smart Electrification of Short Straits Ferries
The team develop a dashboard to help DFDS consider ship, propulsion and battery systems across a wide range of operating scenarios. This will inform their strategic and operation decision-making process for the deployment of new electric ferries.
January 2025 - April 2025
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 6
We support two successful applications: one which aims to advance former modelling work with DFDS; the second to address the skills gap that could limit the port and ferry operators' ability to deliver future electrification plans.
May 2025
The Short Straits Maritime Cluster launches
Kent Business School, Port of Dover and DFDS launch a new maritime cluster bringing together key partners from across the Short Straits to support skills, drive innovation, and economic growth at the Port.
September 2025 - March 2026
Electrified International Ferries
We work with DFDS, AVL, the University of Warwick and Opintels Solutions to create models that will help DFDS optimise their operations, performance and business case of channel crossing e-vessels deployed at short straits.
October 2025 - March 2026
Integrated skills and talent for Short Straits ferry electrification
We work with Dover Harbour Board and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce to identify the skills and associated training infrastructure required to support future investments in electrification at the Port.
Dr Ramin Raeesi
Our work is supporting the UK’s commitment to the Clydebank Declaration agreed at COP 26, and ultimately help meet the zero emission shipping ambitions of the UK’s ‘Clean Maritime Plan’, envisaging the UK as a global leader in clean shipping by 2050.
Director, Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics (CeLSA), Kent Business School
One partnership, multiple solutions
Our collaboration with Dover Harbour Board goes beyond electrification of the port and its ferries. Here are some other ways we've worked together to overcome challenges affecting the Port and the wider region.
KTP: Cutting queues and boosting efficiency
This Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Dover Harbour Board saw Professors Jesse O'Hanley, Kathy Kotiadis and Maria Paola Scaparra work with the Port to solve traffic issues.
KTP: Adapting for post-brexit change
This second KTP with Dover Harbour Board saw CELSA researchers model scenarios, including check-in and border processes, to help the Port
Short Straits Maritime Cluster
In 2025, we formed a cluster with Dover Harbour Board and DFDS to formalise our shared strategic approach to boosting skills, innovation and training in the maritime sector.