THE HYDROGEN REVOLUTION: HYDROGEN USE IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY

This series aims to introduce hydrogen as the next big alternative fuel to help abate greenhouse gas emissions, while discussing the pros and cons of its application in fossil fuel intensive industries such as Shipping and Industry.

In terms of potential benefits, Hydrogen energy has several, including:

• Clean energy: Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel that produces only water vapor and heat when it is used as a fuel. This makes it an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and combating climate change.
• Renewable energy: Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower, “Green Hydrogen”. This makes it a sustainable and renewable source of energy that can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Versatility: Hydrogen can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, power generation, and heating. It can be used as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles, as a feedstock for industrial processes, and as a storage medium for renewable energy.
• Energy security: Hydrogen can be produced domestically, reducing dependence on imported energy sources and enhancing energy security.
• Efficiency: Fuel cell vehicles and other hydrogen-powered technologies are typically more efficient than traditional combustion engines, which can lead to cost savings and reduced emissions.

Overall, hydrogen energy has the potential to provide a clean, renewable, and versatile source of energy that can help address climate change, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable economic growth.

However, there are a number of applications for which hydrogen usage, in practice, is a challenge; for example, hydrogen as a transportation fuel in the Shipping Industry.

Typically, the shipping industry uses fuels such as Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and for LNG boil off gas in the engines for propulsion and auxiliaries.

The recent 2023 IMO GHG Strategy builds on IMO 2022, which mandated the utilization of cleaner fuels such as Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO) and LNG, by outlining ambitions to increase the penetration of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels (such as hydrogen) and/or energy sources to 10% of the energy used in international shipping and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

Further, given that burning hydrogen produces water vapour, some have “touted” hydrogen as a fuel that could be used in the shipping industry to abate greenhouse gas emissions; this particular discussion must be met with caution.

Although Hydrogen as a fuel is non-toxic and lighter than air it dissipates rapidly when it is released, allowing for rapid dispersal in case of a leak, there are further additional engineering controls to enable its safe use. For example, hydrogen is extremely flammable, as compared to natural gas or gasoline, and can pose safety risks if not handled properly.
As a result, adequate ventilation, leak detection and flame detectors are required.

In the shipping industry, hydrogen fuel cell is currently feasible for small vessels such as service boats, small ferries and fishing boats. These do not need to store as much fuel onboard and can refuel more frequently and easily onshore.
For larger vessels, however, hydrogen fuel cell can be used for auxiliary power for short voyages, but not propulsion. Further development is required for hydrogen fuel to provide the full volume required for propulsion and auxiliary power for larger vessels and long voyages such as Commodities shipping (i.e., LNG, Oil) and containership.

In terms of implementation a key limitation is costs. Ship owners would need to retrofit their vessels. It’s important to note here that some metals can become brittle when exposed to hydrogen, so appropriate material selection is crucial. Shipping crews would need to undertake training on safe hydrogen handling practices as well as system testing such as tank leak tests.

When the overall safety element is weighed against the greenhouse gas abatement, hydrogen utilization in international shipping is met with apprehension.