Reflections from the inaugural N0MES CDT Annual Conference 2026
Article by Simon Eardley, Head of Policy & Innovation at Mersey Maritime
Mersey Maritime was pleased to attend the inaugural N0MES (Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions) Centre for Doctoral Training Annual Conference 2026 in Liverpool. The N0MES CDT programme develops researchers focused on tackling net-zero maritime challenges through interdisciplinary PhD research in renewable energy, decarbonisation, environmental impact and sustainable maritime systems.
The event formed part of a wider programme alongside the 1st International Conference of Maritime Transportation and Innovation (ICMTI) and the 4th International Conference on Transport and Supply Chain Resilience and Digital Transformation (TSCRDT). Together, the conferences brought academics, industry representatives, researchers and innovators together to exchange ideas, share cutting-edge research and explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing maritime transportation, shipping, ports and logistics.
World class research to drive maritime transformation
The agenda focused on innovation as a driver of maritime transformation, with keynote presentations on offshore development, engineering excellence and future industry trends, alongside doctoral research spanning a wide range of disciplines. Topics included maritime decarbonisation, autonomous vessels, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, sustainable energy systems, offshore wind, advanced manufacturing, environmental monitoring and coastal infrastructure. The breadth of research underway in Liverpool was evident throughout, with keynote contributions also from leading academics in China and Portugal highlighting world-leading work in autonomy and decarbonisation and the strong international connections of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
Innovation as the key to delivering business and sustainability goals
A recurring theme throughout the day was the importance of developing innovative solutions to address the interconnected challenges of decarbonisation, operational efficiency, safety and climate resilience. Presenters showcased research into greener shipping corridors, alternative fuels, autonomous systems, machine learning applications, sustainable desalination technologies and the future of offshore energy development.
For Mersey Maritime, which has championed maritime innovation through the Navigating Maritime Innovation in the LCR project, the conference was particularly timely. It highlighted the breadth of innovation emerging from the next generation of maritime researchers and reinforced the value of collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers. The event demonstrated how research and practical application are coming together to shape a more sustainable, intelligent and resilient maritime future. Many N0MES-supported PhDs are undertaken in partnership with industry, ensuring research remains focused on addressing real-world challenges.
Broad and wide-ranging doctoral research to address key problems
While it is impossible to cover every presentation from the conference, including 23 student presentations, several key themes emerged:
- Innovation in maritime operations and fleet management.
- Data-led innovation through analytics, visualisation tools and real-time insights.
- Modern asset management approaches to improve efficiency, reliability and performance.
- Technology integration, connecting systems, data sources and operational functions.
- Continuous improvement and operational excellence through innovation.
- Future-focused thinking, including innovation roadmaps and emerging capabilities.
The transition to cleaner, greener and smarter maritime transport was a central theme, with keynote presentations examining the evolution of both green ships and increasingly autonomous vessels. Discussions were framed by three major global challenges: climate change, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change.
Learning from international experience to drive domestic transformation
A strong international perspective started the conference off, with presentations examining how leading maritime nations are addressing decarbonisation and digital transformation. Particular focus was given to developments in China, Japan, South Korea and Norway, offering valuable insights for researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Several national initiatives highlighted the scale of global investment in sustainable shipping. Japan’s Roadmap for Zero-Emission Shipping is advancing alternative fuels and emissions-reduction technologies, while South Korea’s Green Ship-K Promotion Strategy is accelerating the development and deployment of eco-friendly ship technologies and supporting infrastructure. Norway’s Green Shipping Action Plan continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to maritime decarbonisation through the adoption of alternative fuels.
China provided a compelling example of innovation in practice through the deployment of “green-intelligent ships” on the Yangtze River, including the Changhang Freight 001 and Huanan 6. These vessels combine low-carbon technologies such as hybrid propulsion and energy-efficiency systems with advanced digital capabilities, including intelligent operations, ship-shore collaboration and integrated data platforms.
Across all presentations, a consistent message emerged: the future of maritime transport will depend on successfully combining environmental sustainability with digital innovation. The examples showcased not only the scale of international activity but also the importance of research collaboration in accelerating the transition to a cleaner, safer and more efficient maritime sector.
The role of digital solutions to navigate complex challenges
Throughout the conference, presenters demonstrated how organisations are using digital solutions to navigate this complexity. Rather than relying on disconnected systems and manual reporting processes, companies are increasingly adopting integrated platforms that provide a single source of operational truth. These systems enable better visibility across assets, teams, and business functions, ultimately supporting faster and more informed decision making.
The day ended with an opportunity to come together for a special dinner event, providing networking and engagement for the broad cross-section of academia and industry which had been convened by the conferences. It also provided an opportunity to recognise significant individual contributions to leading maritime research in the realm of innovation.
Marking the contribution of a significant Liverpool maritime expert
From a Liverpool perspective, tributes were paid to the exceptional work and long-standing career of one of Liverpool John Moores University’s most recognisable maritime experts, Professor Jin Wang. Professor of Marine Technology since 2002 and founder of the Liverpool Logistics, Offshore and Marine (LOOM) Research Institute in 2003, Professor Wang has made a significant contribution to maritime research in Liverpool and internationally. Colleagues highlighted his expertise in maritime engineering systems, including ships, offshore installations and port terminals. Mersey Maritime is proud to be associated with such world-class researchers who continue to shape the future of the sector.
Collaboration for future success
In conclusion, the conference provided valuable insights into the technologies and innovation programmes shaping the future of maritime operations. The scale of progress already being made to transform the industry for the challenges of the 21st century was evident throughout. Discussions focused on meaningful solutions in a research context with an emphasis on businesses and organisations who are already experimenting with new ways to improve visibility, automate processes and enhance decision making, with significant scope for further progress in the years ahead.
A particularly notable feature was its practical focus. Rather than discussing innovation as a future aspiration, speakers showcased real-world applications and measurable outcomes, demonstrating both the maturity of digital transformation within the sector and growing confidence in deploying technology at scale for decarbonisation.
Innovation is increasingly becoming part of everyday operations rather than a standalone initiative. Mersey Maritime looks forward to continuing its engagement with academic research and exploring opportunities to embed innovation further across our industry partners.
