H₂ shipping approaches viability in ‘niche’ circumstances

Short-haul, scheduled shipping routes will likely be first to switch to hydrogen-powered vessels

Low-capacity fuel cells, inadequate H2 production and high costs threaten to prevent hydrogen from becoming a viable maritime fuel—but industry experts remain confident these problems can be resolved and, for very limited applications, vessels are already being considered. Shipping typically uses heavy fuel oil or diesel. But the International Maritime Organization aims to cut the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50pc by 2050 versus 2008 levels by switching to renewable energy, including hydrogen. Carbon pricing will be crucial in persuading the sector to quit fossil fuels, and the EU is poised to include shipping in its emissions trading system from 2021. This would substanti