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Image Credit: PuriFire Energy

One of the UK’s leading innovators in low-emission maritime fuel production, PuriFire Energy, has publicly showcased its proprietary hydrothermal gasification technology for the first time at Shoreham Port in association with government project Innovate UK, marking a major milestone in the development of new circular fuel pathways for the maritime sector.

The event brought together industry leaders, engineers, policymakers and investors to see the technology up close and explore how it could accelerate the transition to cleaner shipping fuels. Hosted at Shoreham Port, the showcase featured two demonstration sessions and a static display of the system alongside technology partner HyperGen, whose multi-fuel micro gas turbine systems are designed to operate on various low-carbon fuels.

PuriFire’s hydrothermal gasification process converts wastewater and carbon waste into green hydrogen and bio-methanol, offering a decentralized and lower-carbon alternative to fossil-derived maritime fuels. The technology is designed to integrate with existing port infrastructure, enabling the production of circular fuels closer to where they are needed.

The showcase formed part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6), delivered by Innovate UK and funded by the UK Government’s Department for Transport, which supports pioneering projects to reduce emissions across the maritime industry.

PuriFire is delivering the project in collaboration with HyperGen, Shoreham Port, Newcastle University, X-Press Feeders, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, and Associated British Ports, combining expertise from across the maritime, energy and research sectors to trial practical pathways for maritime decarbonization.

The Shoreham showcase marks an important step in PuriFire’s wider commercialization strategy, as the company progresses from lab-scale validation to real-world demonstration and commercial projects.

Following the event, PuriFire will continue working with consortium partners to further develop the technology and explore deployment opportunities across the UK and international maritime infrastructure projects.

Speaking at the event, Neel Shah, CEO of PuriFire Energy, said: “Shipping is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize, and it will require entirely new fuel pathways if we are serious about reducing emissions at scale. This showcase demonstrates how wastewater and waste carbon can be transformed into circular fuels that support the maritime sector while reducing reliance on fossil energy sources. It is incredibly encouraging to see such strong interest from industry partners, policymakers and investors as we move towards real-world deployment.”

Tom Willis, CEO of Shoreham Port, said: “Shoreham Port has always been a place where new ideas meet practical application. Supporting and hosting the debut of PuriFire’s hydrothermal gasification technology is an exciting moment for us and for the wider maritime sector. Projects like this show how ports can act as testbeds for the technologies that will power the next generation of cleaner shipping.”