Did you know? Your fishing vessel could qualify for a UK Government grant towards a replacement engine or gearbox.
Eligible commercial fishing operators in England can now apply for a grant contribution towards replacement engines and gearboxes through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS).
Support includes up to 65% for eligible small-scale coastal fishing vessels upgrading petrol or diesel engines and gearboxes, up to 50% for other eligible fishing vessels, and up to 90% for eligible electric or hybrid engine projects.
We’re sharing this opportunity to help commercial fishing operators find out what may be available. If you are considering a replacement engine or gearbox, Golden Arrow Marine can provide an itemised quotation. You will need to check your eligibility and apply directly to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
Funding is subject to eligibility, approval and available funds. Contributions apply to approved eligible costs. Customers must fund the project upfront and claim the approved contribution back.
Considering an upgrade? Check the opportunity now
Applications below £250,000 are currently assessed on a first come, first served basis, and funding is subject to availability and approval. If a repower is on your plans, now is a good time to read the guidance, check the position with MMO and gather your quotations. Requesting a quote does not reserve funding.
Read the latest government funding update.
What is the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme?
FaSS supports improvements across England’s fishing and seafood sector. On 15 September 2026, the Government expanded support to include grant contributions towards new engines and gearboxes, helping fishing operators modernise their vessels and improve efficiency.
The scheme is administered by MMO. Each application is assessed against the relevant funding rules and the benefits the proposed project will deliver. Read the government announcement.
Who is this relevant to?
The fishing-vessel engine and gearbox opportunity is particularly relevant to England-based owners and operators of English-registered commercial fishing vessels considering a repower or propulsion improvement.
Examples of operators who may wish to explore eligibility include:
| Fishing activity | Potential relevance |
|---|---|
| Crab and lobster potting | Operators reviewing engine efficiency, replacement engines or gearboxes |
| Commercial netting and line fishing | Inshore and coastal fishing businesses planning propulsion upgrades |
| Trawling and wild shellfish dredging | Operators considering qualifying replacements, subject to the rules on vessel power and fishing effort |
| Larger commercial fishing operations | Owners and fleet operators planning eligible vessel modernisation |
Small-scale coastal fishing: the SSCF category covers vessels under 12 metres overall length that do not use towed gear. A vessel under 12 metres that uses trawls or dredges does not meet that definition simply because of its size. Read the general eligibility guidance.
Aquaculture and fish or shellfish farming: the fishing-vessel guidance directs applications for aquaculture vessel engines to the separate M3 Sustainable Aquaculture Development measure. Ask MMO to confirm the appropriate route, eligible costs and funding rate for your operation. Do not assume the fishing-vessel rates shown here apply to your aquaculture project. Read the vessel guidance.
Other marine and seafood businesses: the wider scheme covers more activities than engine replacement. Seafood processing, marine conservation or involvement in recreational fishing does not automatically make a vessel eligible for these engine grants. Leisure boat owners, passenger and charter operators, and general workboat businesses should not assume this opportunity applies to their vessels. Operators outside England should contact their respective national scheme administrator.
How much funding could you receive?
| Eligible upgrade | Maximum contribution towards approved eligible costs |
|---|---|
| Petrol or diesel engine or gearbox for an SSCF vessel | Up to 65% |
| Petrol or diesel engine or gearbox for another eligible fishing vessel | Up to 50% |
| Electric or hybrid engine for an eligible fishing vessel | Up to 90%, regardless of vessel or business size |
These are maximum rates, not guaranteed awards. Other items within a wider project may be assessed differently. MMO confirms the eligible costs and grant contribution. Check the official funding rates.
For illustration, if MMO approves £40,000 of diesel repower costs at the maximum rate:
| Applicant category | Potential grant | Remaining share of those eligible costs |
|---|---|---|
| SSCF | £26,000 | £14,000 |
| Other eligible fishing vessel | £20,000 | £20,000 |
This example excludes VAT and assumes all £40,000 qualifies. You must also cover any ineligible costs and any VAT not funded. Confirm VAT treatment with MMO. The grant is claimed after expenditure, so the remaining share is not the amount you need available at the start.
What upgrades can be supported?
Potentially eligible work includes:
- Replacement, modification and fitting of petrol or diesel engines.
- Replacement, modification and fitting of electric or hybrid engines.
- Gearbox replacement.
- Vessel alterations necessary to fit a new engine.
- Engine modifications that reduce fuel consumption or emissions.
- Energy-efficient propellers and drive shafts.
- Fuel-management and monitoring systems.
Projects under the fishing energy-efficiency measure must reduce overall carbon emissions. A replacement needed solely because equipment is worn or unreliable does not establish eligibility. The proposed project must meet the funding criteria. Read the eligible-project guidance.
Engine, outboard and gearbox options from Golden Arrow Marine
We can discuss options from the following brands within our dealer portfolio, matching the proposed equipment to your vessel, existing installation and operating requirements.
| Brand | Options to discuss with our team |
|---|---|
| Volvo Penta | Marine inboard engines, including IMO Tier III solutions where appropriate |
| MAN | Marine inboard diesel engines |
| John Deere | Marine inboard diesel engines |
| Perkins | Marine inboard diesel engines |
| Steyr Motors | Marine inboard diesel engines |
| Yamaha | Petrol outboard engines |
| ZF | Marine gearboxes and transmission matching |
| RAD Propulsion | Electric propulsion options, subject to operating range, duty cycle and charging requirements |
Equipment must be assessed as part of your individual project. Brand, model or emissions certification alone does not guarantee grant eligibility.
For Volvo Penta enquiries, we can discuss suitable IMO Tier III configurations. IMO Tier III addresses nitrogen oxide emissions; it is not, by itself, proof that a project meets FaSS carbon-reduction requirements. Explore Volvo Penta IMO Tier III solutions.
Request an engine or gearbox quotation
Important conditions before you proceed
Engine power: a replacement or modified engine must have the same or less power than the existing engine. Projects must not increase vessel power or fishing effort. Existing licence restrictions continue to apply.
Previous funding: engines previously funded through the UK Seafood Fund and still subject to its terms are excluded. Repeat support for the same equipment type on the same vessel is restricted.
MCA involvement: onboard work requires engagement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and compliance with its vessel-modification requirements, including the MIN 593 (F) pre-approval process referenced by MMO. Discuss your proposal with MCA before submitting your grant application. Where stability may be affected, evidence of MCA involvement and compliance is required before payment. Read the vessel requirements.
Wider eligibility: applicant exclusions and project rules also apply. Routine servicing, statutory or mandatory requirements, and costs already funded through another grant are not automatically eligible repower expenditure. Check the full rules with MMO before committing. Read the general FaSS guidance.
About the information on this page
We have summarised the grant information published on GOV.UK based on our understanding and interpretation of the guidance. This page is intended to raise awareness of the opportunity and does not replace the official scheme guidance.
It is the vessel owner or operator’s responsibility to check the latest requirements, confirm eligibility with MMO, obtain any necessary permissions and complete and submit their application and claim.
Golden Arrow Marine’s role in relation to the grant application is limited to providing a quotation and the supporting product information for the equipment we quote. We do not administer the scheme, determine eligibility, manage applications or guarantee funding. Questions about the grant, deadlines or application process should be directed to MMO.
