Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS). The hydrogen is separated from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR) or autothermal reforming. Carbon capture technologies are used to remove the CO2 generated through this process, and transport it for re-use or long-term storage. The hydrogen may then be compressed for transportation and storage.
| Resources | Production | Bunkering and ports | Handling and storage onboard | Propulsion |
| Natural gas and storage capacity for carbon | SMR or ATM, CCS | Storage tanks at ports, bunkering systems (barges, pipes, ship2ship) | Fuel tanks | Internal combustion engine, fuel cells |
The readiness level view shows Technology on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest), and both Investment and Community on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). In the supply chain view all figures are displayed on a percentage basis to allow like for like comparison, against a scale in 10% increments.
| Technology | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 7 | Low scale pilot production demonstrated | Natural gas is readily available and currently used for this application, but carbon storage sites are limited |
Exploration of new sites for storage and growth in re-use and recycling of carbon markets is needed. Additionally, effectiveness of long-term storage (lack of carbon leakage) needs to be proven. |
| Production | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | CCS has been validated in test environments in the context of the end-to-end production, however this validation has not been scaled up to reliably deliver the volume required to produce sufficient hydrogen fuel for commercial shipping. Steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATM) are established processes. |
CCS facilities need to be industrialised at scale. Exploration of new sites for storage and growth in re-use and recycling of carbon markets is needed.
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| Bunkering and ports - Liquid | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment |
Pilots have demonstrated technology capability in local environments. |
Bunkering of liquid hydrogen needs to be demonstrated in a range of different environments for scale up |
| Bunkering and ports - Liquid organic | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | Pilots have demonstrated technology capability in local environments | Bunkering of liquid organic hydrogen needs to be demonstrated in a range of different environments for scale up |
| Bunkering and ports - Compressed gas | 7 |
Low scale pilot production demonstrated |
Pilots have demonstrated technology capability in local environments | Bunkering of compressed gas hydrogen needs to be demonstrated in a range of different environments for scale up |
| Ship - Onboard handling and storage - Liquid | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | Pilot projects have been launched | Operation in a range of environments needs to be proven and relevant industry standards need to be developed. |
| Onboard handling and storage - Liquid organic | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | Pilot projects have been launched | Operation in a range of environments needs to be proven and relevant industry standards need to be developed. |
| Onboard handling and storage -Compressed gas | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | Pilot projects have been launched | Operation in a range of environments needs to be proven and relevant industry standards need to be developed. |
| Propulsion (fuel cells) | 7 | Low-scale pilot production demonstrated | Fuel cells have been proven, however only on specific routes. Ballard are starting to produce these on a larger scale. | Operation in a range of environments needs to be proven on a larger scale. |
| Propulsion (combustion engine) | 6 | Pre-production product | Prototype combustion engines have been developed at pre-production, some manufacturers are offering 100% hydrogen engines. For example, ABC engines and CMB tech is offering a dual fuel engine. | Engines that run on 100% hydrogen exist, but wider offerings from main manufacturers is required for a scale-up. |
| Investment | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Storage has not reached the scale required to attract investment |
Signals that show a stable, attractive market must be provided to investors.
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| Production | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Storage has not reached the scale required to attract investment |
Signals that show a stable, attractive market must be provided to investors.
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| Bunkering and ports | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Commercial trials ongoing at a local small scale only |
Strong demand signals for hydrogen as a fuel by shipping are needed to stimulate increased investment in development of port infrastructure for hydrogen bunkering in more geographical locations.
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| Ship | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Small number of commercial vessels now in operation - these are nearshore first mover operations such as tugs and ferries. |
There needs to be a clear financial model for competitiveness against fossil fuels. |
| Community | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 2 | Stakeholder support or opposition is becoming understood as a result of pilots |
Stakeholder concerns are noted on the multiple unknowns around carbon storage, regulation and sustainability |
Effectiveness of long-term storage (lack of carbon leakage) needs to be proven and communities need to be educated on the risks and benefits. |
| Production | 4 | Evidence becoming wide-spread resulting in initial stakeholder acceptance | CCS acceptance in some communities only as multiple unknowns remain around capture rates, effectiveness of long-term storage and sustainability | High capture rates and effectiveness of long-term storage (lack of carbon leakage) need to be proven |
| Bunkering and ports | 1 | Stakeholder support or opposition is hypothetical |
International standards for the bunkering of Hydrogen in a maritime context are yet to be developed. |
Best practice needs to be evolved so that it can be formalised into an international standard.
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| Ship | 2 | Stakeholder support or opposition is becoming understood as a result of pilots | Hydrogen now being used in nearshore first mover operations such as tugs and ferries. Hydrogen will be the next focus for inclusion in the IGF code. | Policy needs to be stable and consistent across the value chain and globally. Note: combustion engines could cause indirect GHG emissions (methane) |
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Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor
