E-hydrogen (also referred to as green hydrogen) is produced using renewable energy. Renewable energy is used to separate hydrogen from water through electrolysis. The hydrogen may then be compressed for transportation and storage. E-hydrogen is only a zero-emission fuel if the electricity used for electrolysis has zero carbon intensity; otherwise, there are different grades of 'green' depending on the carbon intensity of the electricity used.
| Resources | Production | Bunkering and ports | Handling and storage onboard | Propulsion |
| Renewable power, water | Electrolyser, Haber Bosch | 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 | Pilots have been demonstrated. Scale up required to meet shipping demands. |
A scaled up supply chain and workforce needs to be established for the supply of renewable electricity for the purpose of hydrogen generation for shipping. For this scale-up to take place, there will need to be demand signals from the market. |
| Production | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | Scaling of electrolysis process is now demonstrated in isolated projects. |
Electrolysis facilities need to be industrialised at scale.
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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 | 5 | Testing prototype in user environment | 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 | Small-scale commercial trials exist, but scale-up is still in the planning phase. |
There is a need to reduce the risks of investing in countries with low credit ratings because many countries are well suited to provide renewable resources.
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| Production | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Investment in battery production is happening at a large scale. However, only a small fraction of this is for shipping, and since the supply of batteries for all sectors is struggling to meet demand, prices are increasing. |
There is a need to reduce the risks of investing in countries with low credit ratings because many countries are well suited to provide renewable resources.
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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 | Evidence becoming widespread resulting in initial stakeholder acceptance |
Small scale solutions show some acceptance at a local level. Growth to the required scale for the maritime industry is constrained by community concerns and lifecycle analysis. |
Communities need educating on the wider benefits of renewable energy and to dedicate land use for these purposes. |
| Production | 5 | Increased transparency and formalised processes driving momentum for change | Small scale solutions show some acceptance at a local level. Growth to the required scale for the maritime industry is constrained by community concerns and lifecycle analysis | Communities need educating on the benefits of green hydrogen and to dedicate land use for renewable energy facilities. |
| 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
