The UK's maritime sector directly contributes £14.5bn GVA to the UK economy a year. However, emissions in UK ports are expected to grow four-fold by 2050 unless solutions are implemented to decarbonise the maritime sector a fact recognised by the Clean Maritime Plan supporting transition to net zero carbon by 2050\.

Shipping is considered one of the most efficient modes of transport but represents a substantial source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (UK-\>13Mt CO2e/year). Air pollution for NOx, SOx and particulates contributes to major public health risk (contributing to asthma symptoms, heart disease and lung cancer) and known to affect biodiversity (DEFRA reporting that 10% of UK NOx and 7% SOx is from shipping).

\>90% of cargo handling vehicles within a port environment are diesel-powered (Euro 3 compliant using grade A2 gas oil) and are responsible for ~36% emissions within a port. Therefore, there is a **need** to develop zero-emission energy storage/electrification solutions which can replace diesel-power for powering cargo handling vehicles in an effort to reduce emissions and air pollution. According to Schneider Electric reducing portside emissions in UK ports could save up to £483m/yr.

Westfield and 2-DTech (collaborating with CPI and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) are jointly developing new high-performance energy storage system (ESS) technology specifically aimed at enabling the electrification of vehicles/vessels based on the use of novel high-power, high-energy density **supercapacitors.** The supercapacitors overcome the limitations of batteries (Lead-acid/lithium-ion) such as long downtimes for charging, high maintenance and are not environmentally-friendly.

Westfield are developing the control systems and integration of the 2D-Tech supercapacitors within electric vehicles such as Heathrow airport passenger transit POD and have engaged with PSA International (one of the world's largest port operators) and Ports of Antwerp, Milford Haven and Belfast Harbour to develop a new electrified zero-emission energy storage system which can be easily retrofitted into an existing cargo handling vehicle to replace the incumbent diesel-powered engine.

SUPPORTIVE will **further develop the ESS** and **will focus** on:

1.Scaling up our proprietary functionalised graphene material,

2.Demonstrating small batch production of the specialised electrodes and their integration into pouch cells;

3.Reconfiguration of the battery management system,

4.Charging infrastructure required to meet operation of the vehicle which can reduce downtime and number of vehicles required for safe operation.

5.Testing and validating within a cargo handling tow vehicle to validate capability to tow 30t a distance of up to 1mile, 14 times/hr at both Port of Milford Haven and Belfast Harbour.