The shipping industry, at the moment, is facing a complicated challenge: cutting down on carbon emissions. This, as you might know, is easier said than done, given how much fuel ships tend to consume for long-distance voyages.
In 2022, the world saw container ships globally produce around 221.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Then you have bulk carriers which ended up releasing 209 metric tons of carbon dioxide that same year. Together, these two types of vessels from the global shipping industry released around half of the total carbon dioxide emissions in 2022.
Right now, the shipping industry is looking to cut down on such carbon emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will require ships to cut carbon dioxide intensity by 40 percent within the next five to six years. That being said, simply pressuring the shipping industry to cut down on carbon emissions won’t do. A proper solution is needed to deal with this carbon crisis.
The spotlight has, therefore, landed on hydrogen as a clean, renewable fuel source for ships.
In theory, hydrogen can provide the same energy as traditional fossil fuels but without the high carbon emissions. Yet, turning this possibility into a reality isn’t a straightforward path.
The Promise of Hydrogen for Shipping
At first glance, hydrogen seems like a dream fuel for maritime transport. Unlike heavy oil-based fuels that spew out pollutants, hydrogen burns clean, emitting only water vapor.
Ships powered by hydrogen fuel cells can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potentially make shipping carbon-neutral. For the shipping industry, which is responsible for nearly 3 percent of global carbon emissions, hydrogen could be a game-changer.
Hydrogen also packs a punch in terms of energy density. Your typical liquid hydrogen has about a quarter of the energy density of diesel. Then you have hydrogen fuel cells that could make up for this difference.
The Challenges of Storing Hydrogen
Smooth sailing so far, but here’s where things start getting tricky.
Hydrogen might be abundant and clean, but storing it is a completely different story. Unlike traditional fuels, hydrogen is the lightest element on the periodic table, which makes it difficult to contain and store effectively.
Enter the world of modern, advanced hydrogen storage solutions. These systems require specialized materials to safely contain hydrogen. Many companies are exploring solid-state hydrogen storage, where hydrogen is stored within solid materials rather than as a compressed gas or cryogenic liquid, potentially offering more efficiency and safety.
According to H2MOF, you’ll find that most compressed hydrogen tanks are available in the form of 700-bar pressure vessels. However, solid-state storage technology can allow for high energy storage density at pressures as low as 20 bar.
Then there’s the need to create an extensive network of hydrogen fuel stations along global shipping routes. With limited locations to store hydrogen effectively, constructing a network to support widespread hydrogen usage for shipping is no small feat.
The Cost Factor
Cost, unsurprisingly, is another major obstacle in hydrogen’s path to becoming the fuel of choice for shipping. While the technology exists, scaling it up to power the world’s shipping fleets is expensive.
From hydrogen storage to fuel cell production, the initial costs are much higher than traditional shipping fuels.
Currently, most hydrogen is produced through a process called natural gas reforming, which – ironically – releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct. There’s also green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy, but this method is costly and not yet widely available.
Investing in hydrogen-powered vessels means betting on a technology that could cost them more in the short term.
The Possibilities on the Horizon
Challenges aside, hydrogen’s future in the shipping industry isn’t entirely out of reach. Many companies and researchers are pouring resources into hydrogen fuel development, and governments are starting to offer incentives for green hydrogen production.
As renewable energy costs fall, green hydrogen could become more affordable, opening up possibilities for a cleaner shipping industry. With continued innovation, the challenges we see today might look like minor speed bumps in a few decades.
Looking Forward
Hydrogen as a shipping fuel brings both exciting possibilities and formidable challenges. Its clean-burning properties make it an ideal candidate for reducing the carbon footprint of an industry with few green options.
However, the journey from theory to practice involves tackling a bunch of challenges along the way. That being said, if the past is any indicator, the shipping industry has the power to innovate when it matters most.
The push for hydrogen fuel could eventually lead to sustainable maritime transport, a cleaner atmosphere, and a thriving ecosystem. While hydrogen’s road to revolutionizing shipping is undoubtedly challenging, the potential payoff just might be worth the journey.
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