Op-ed: Overcoming barriers to hydrogen adoption in maritime: A path to a cleaner future

The following article is an op-ed piece authored by Robert Haugen, Managing
Director at Hexagon Purus Maritime, Norway’s supplier of clean energy technology. It is centered around (green) hydrogen and key barriers to its widespread adoption in maritime.

The global shipping industry, responsible for approximately 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions, stands at a crucial turning point. To achieve the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target by 2050, clean fuels must be adopted at scale.

Zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/or energy sources will need to represent at least 5%, and ideally 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030.

Various clean fuels, including ammonia, methanol, biofuels, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and battery electric technology, present viable options, each with its unique advantages and challenges.

The sweet spot for hydrogen is where batteries alone aren’t suitable, such as for inland or coastal cargo vessels, supply and service vessels for offshore oil and gas, wind farms, and fish farming and passenger ferries – predominantly vessels servicing predictable point-to-point routes.

Hydrogen, with its promising decarbonisation potential, is emerging as a key solution, yet several barriers remain to widespread adoption. However, concerted efforts are being made to overcome these challenges, making hydrogen a huge opportunity for the maritime sector.

Economic and market factors play a significant role in the adoption of hydrogen. High production costs, capital requirements, limited availability of green hydrogen molecules and price difference to fossil fuels are primary barriers.

Green hydrogen, which is produced via electrolysis using renewable energy, is currently more expensive than hydrogen derived from fossil fuels. BloombergNEF reports that grey hydrogen, derived from natural gas or methane, costs $0.98-$2.93 per kilogram to produce, while green hydrogen can cost $4.5-$12 per kilogram.

However, analysis shows that by 2030, producing green hydrogen in new plants could be up to 18% cheaper than continuing to run existing grey hydrogen plants in key economies like Brazil, China, and India. Moreover, DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2023 calculates that for projects using on-site renewable electricity supply, the levelised cost of green hydrogen could fall to $2/kg by 2030, on the back of massive reductions in the cost of wind, solar and electrolyser equipment.

To address these economic challenges, government policies, including tax credits and subsidies, are starting to level the playing field. The US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU Hydrogen Bank are examples of initiatives aimed at reducing costs and promoting the adoption of green hydrogen.

The ‘chicken and egg’ problem of hydrogen infrastructure is another significant barrier. Maritime operators are reluctant to adopt hydrogen without adequate infrastructure, and suppliers are hesitant to invest in infrastructure without assured demand.

Integrating hydrogen with existing maritime infrastructure requires significant modifications and investments. However, several European ports are pioneering hydrogen infrastructure projects. The Port of Rotterdam is establishing a hydrogen import terminal, while the Port of Antwerp is developing infrastructure for hydrogen import and logistics.

Norway’s Ocean Hyway Cluster is running the HyInfra project, focused on compressed and liquid hydrogen and ammonia. This project aims to reduce uncertainty and risk by mapping future demand, exploring value chains, and addressing technical uncertainties and safety regulations.

Norwegian Hydrogen is also collaborating with Northern XPlorer’s first zero-emission cruise ship featuring fuel cells and electric propulsion, as well as making pollution-free hydrogen available to the wider maritime market.

Safety is of course vital to hydrogen adoption. Hydrogen is highly flammable, therefore preventing leaks and managing risks are critical, and enhanced safety measures and standards are being implemented to ensure safety.

Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive international standards and regulations for hydrogen use in the maritime industry. Efforts are underway to develop these standards, facilitating safer and more efficient hydrogen adoption. This includes Bureau Veritas (BV), which launched its classification Rules for hydrogen-fuelled ships (NR678) to support the safe development of hydrogen propulsion in the maritime sector in 2023.

Despite these barriers, significant progress is being made. Storage technology, such as Type 4 cylinders for compressed hydrogen, is well-established and used in various sectors including aerospace and heavy-duty trucking.

Efforts are being made to integrate hydrogen with existing maritime infrastructure, with hybrid systems combining hydrogen with current systems to ease the transition.

Reducing investment risk is also a priority. Public-private partnerships and collaborations between governments, industries and stakeholders help to share investment risks. Demonstration projects showcase hydrogen’s potential and feasibility, attracting further investment and reducing perceived risks.

Furthermore, ship designs are evolving to incorporate hydrogen storage tanks and fuel cell systems. While some ship owners express concerns about retrofitting to hydrogen, the process can be relatively straightforward during major inspections, occurring every five years. Even partial adoption of zero-emission modes during port entries aligns with evolving port emission targets and noise pollution concerns.

Positive developments are emerging globally, showcasing hydrogen’s potential in the maritime sector. For instance, Hexagon Purus Maritime is supplying hydrogen fuel storage systems to projects like the training ship SKULEBAS and Moen Marin’s zero-emission working boat programme in Norway.

Hexagon Purus Maritime has also supplied hydrogen storage tanks for the newly launched Sea Change ferry, a hydrogen-powered catamaran in San Francisco, California.

With collaborative efforts, evolving technologies and strategic initiatives, the hydrogen revolution in maritime transport is on the horizon.

This promises a cleaner, greener, and more efficient future for the industry, aligning with global decarbonisation goals and creating a sustainable shipping ecosystem. As technological and economic barriers are gradually overcome, hydrogen’s role in maritime will continue to expand, paving the way for a net-zero future.