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The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) highlights the transformative potential of green hydrogen and hydrogen-derived ammonia to decarbonize the maritime industry. According to its experts, hydrogen could soon be used as a maritime fuel, as continued innovation will make hydrogen storage and transport more viable over time. Hydrogen is one of the options envisioned for the future of sustainable maritime transport. IEC standards and conformity assessment are ensuring its safe and efficient implementation. The shipping industry faces an urgent need to decarbonize. By most estimates, it currently accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is expected to reduce that footprint in the race toward net-zero carbon. Low-emission or low-carbon hydrogen (often referred to as green hydrogen depending on how it is produced, i.e., through electrolysis powered by renewable energy), as well as hydrogen-derived fuels, have emerged as promising solutions to help meet net-zero emissions goals by 2050. However, several challenges still need to be addressed for their safe and economical use. A combination of sound policies, regulations, and standards is essential to ensure their safety, efficiency, and widespread adoption. Initial emphasis on hydrogen-derived fuels Initiatives such as the Getting to Zero Coalition (launched in 2019) and the Green Hydrogen Catapult (2020), which began promoting hydrogen-based fuels in shipping, kicked off the process by setting ambitious decarbonization targets. “Shipping is one of five key end-use sectors identified where decarbonization efforts can have the most profound impact,” says Jaidev Dhavle, Program Officer at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In an interview with e-tech, he highlights the transformative potential of green hydrogen and hydrogen-derived ammonia. “Green hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used for more environmentally friendly processes in sectors such as steel and chemical production. In shipping, it offers the potential to power ships using more sustainable fuels such as e-ammonia.” In 2022, at COP 27, leading organizations signed the Joint Declaration on Green Hydrogen and Green Shipping, committing to the rapid adoption of hydrogen-based fuels to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. COP 29 emphasized the need for hydrogen-derived fuels to meet global decarbonization goals. It was reaffirmed that a 5–10% adoption of these less polluting fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, by 2030 would be a turning point for maritime decarbonization. More than 50 maritime leaders signed a “Call to Action” to accelerate this transition. Hydrogen is combined with captured CO2 to produce methanol, aiding carbon recycling efforts. Using low-carbon hydrogen in this process helps reduce emissions at the production end. When used, methanol is an emission-free combustion fuel for shipping. Although 125 ports worldwide are equipped to handle it, stocks of hydrogen-derived ammonia have also been increasing, as it is a cheaper alternative to green methanol. As with methanol, hydrogen is key to ammonia synthesis. When used as a fuel, the combustion of ammonia itself does not emit carbon dioxide, but the hydrogen used in ammonia production traditionally comes from natural gas or coal, which involves significant CO2 emissions. However, attention is shifting toward low-carbon hydrogen to reduce or decarbonize the ammonia production process. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ammonia has several advantages and disadvantages. “Ammonia, derived from hydrogen, has emerged as a promising marine fuel due to its carbon-free combustion. It can be used directly in modified internal combustion engines or in fuel cells. Ammonia has the advantage of producing zero CO2 emissions during combustion and is easier to store and transport compared to hydrogen. However, its toxicity raises safety concerns during storage and handling, while engine technologies still require further development to optimize ammonia combustion,” it describes. The IMO aims to reduce total GHG emissions from shipping by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. It has made significant progress in establishing a set of binding global regulations for shipping emissions. The IMOs draft neutrality framework includes a target-based marine fuel standard and a global marine GHG emissions pricing mechanism, with the aim of phasing in low-GHG fuels and incentivizing investment in green technologies. These measures are expected to be formally adopted by the end of 2025. In March 2025, the successful launch of what is believed to be the worlds first dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel, the Fortescue Green Pioneer, demonstrated the viability of ammonia as a more sustainable marine fuel. This milestone highlights the potential of hydrogen-derived fuels for long-distance shipping and exemplifies how policy can foster innovation. Following its successful launch, Dr. Andrew Forrest, Chief Executive and Founder of Fortescue, was quoted as saying: “In the coming months, global shipping regulators at the IMO have an opportunity to accelerate shipping’s transition away from dirty fuel oil. With the right character and leadership, they can chart a course toward a more sustainable future for the planet and advance a dramatic reduction in shipping costs through the widespread adoption and expansion of renewable sources. This opportunity cannot be missed.” Through an initial focus on e-fuels, the shipping industry can more easily achieve zero-emission goals while indirectly accelerating the scale-up of low-carbon hydrogen technologies needed to decarbonize production. This approach does not preclude the future adoption of hydrogen as a marine fuel, as continued innovation will make hydrogen storage and transport more viable over time. Using hydrogen to power ships Several countries have announced plans to establish hydrogen hubs at major ports to address infrastructure challenges and support large-scale hydrogen refueling. In March 2025, the Klaipeda State Port Authority in Lithuania launched the countrys first vessel powered by green hydrogen and electricity, intended to improve port waste management operations. In India, Kandla Port in Gujarat will be the first in the country to have a green hydrogen plant operational using indigenous electrolyzers by July 2025. The plant is expected to produce around 18 kg of green hydrogen per hour, contributing to a cleaner energy outlook through fuel cells and the future integration of green ammonia. Several other ports, notably in Spain, Venice, France, and Egypt, are investing in green hydrogen refueling plants and related infrastructure support. These initiatives are examples of progress around the world in integrating hydrogen into maritime logistics and reducing emissions from port operations. There has also been progress in the launch of hydrogen-powered ships. In May 2023, a hydrogen-powered river container ship, the H2 Barge 1, was launched in the Netherlands, using hydrogen fuel cells for propulsion. This was followed by a second river container barge, which began operations in 2024, transporting cargo along the Rhine River between Rotterdam and Duisburg. The barge was retrofitted with hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and batteries, becoming a completely emission-free vessel. This year, in April, a fully hydrogen-powered cruise ship was announced, two models of which are expected to debut between 2026 and 2027, both running on hydrogen propulsion systems. Challenges for low-carbon hydrogen Although several ports are gradually adapting to include hydrogen refueling, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen still faces notable challenges. High production costs remain a key barrier, as green hydrogen struggles to compete economically with fossil fuels and other alternatives such as ammonia or methanol. Its low energy density also poses storage challenges, requiring energy-intensive compression or complex cryogenic systems for liquefaction at -253°C. Cryogenic storage and solid-state hydrogen carriers are being explored to improve feasibility. Research and development in the area still requires substantial investment to perfect propulsion systems and improve safety measures for handling this highly flammable fuel. However, promising progress is being made in this field, with several pilot projects and research initiatives underway worldwide. The need for policy, regulation and standardization While technological advances offer hope, it is policy, regulation, and standardization that will ultimately drive safe and efficient implementation. To close the gap between ambition and reality, the industry must adopt a multi-pronged strategy, combining green hydrogen with other low-carbon solutions, increased energy efficiency, and coordinated efforts to create the supporting infrastructure. Infrastructure standards and certification schemes are needed to ensure global harmonization, interoperability, and compatibility, and to build trust among stakeholders. Fortunately, much of the work is already underway. IEC standards for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are paving the way for safer and more efficient adoption of these alternative energy sources. IEC Technical Committee TC 105 develops international standards for fuel cell applications, including those in transportation. IEC TC 31 prepares standards for equipment used in explosive and hazardous atmospheres. To ensure global compliance and safety, IECEx, the IEC Conformity Assessment Scheme that oversees hydrogen-related certifications, is also expanding its scope of testing and certification in the area of ??hydrogen technologies. IECEx has partnered with numerous other international organizations, including ISO. IECEx has also established formal links with ISO TC/197, related to testing and certification in the area of ??hydrogen technologies, and more recently with IEC TC 105 for fuel cells. Both associations are fostering safe infrastructure for hydrogen use in the energy sector. In an ongoing collaboration with IRENA and the Hydrogen Council, IECEx is contributing to the development of a future roadmap for quality infrastructure for clean hydrogen production. In a low-carbon economy reliant on hydrogen, IECEx and its global partner organizations will play a vital role in carefully navigating the challenges of clean hydrogen production in the future, while addressing safety issues. The promise of hydrogen lies not only in its technical potential, but also in the framework that regulates its use. As the maritime sector moves toward a more sustainable future, policymakers must chart a course that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and harmonization, based on international standards. |
