As the world’s environmental concerns mount, alternative, greener fuels are rapidly moving to the forefront of the transportation industry. The maritime sector is not exempt, with efforts focused on harnessing hydrogen’s potential as a sustainable fuel.

Recently, Lloyd’s Register (LR), an internationally renowned maritime classification society, unveiled the world’s first standards for ships using hydrogen as fuel. A testament to the maritime industry’s commitment to a greener future, these standards highlight the pivotal role hydrogen might play in navigating the high seas of tomorrow.

Hydrogen Fuel: A New Frontier

Liam Blackmore, a senior specialist at Lloyd’s Register, revealed the novel maritime standards for hydrogen, codified in a three-page document dubbed ‘Appendix LR32.’ The appendix is an addition to the existing LR rules and regulations for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels and aims to set specific requirements for ships intending to use hydrogen as fuel.

The introduction of these standards fills a significant gap in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Safety Code for Ships Using Gases or Other Low Flash Point Fuels (IGF Code), which currently lacks guidelines for hydrogen-fuelled ships. The appendix aligns with the recently published Appendix LR1 on methanol or ethanol fuel and Appendix LR2 on ammonia fuel. With this, ship designers now have a clear performance bar to meet when creating vessels reliant on hydrogen fuel.

Regulations to Safeguard Operations

The appendix introduces several essential safety requirements tailored to hydrogen. For instance, the section on bunkering stations — sites where ships refuel — is modeled on security protocols for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering and incorporates additional safety considerations unique to hydrogen. The new rules mandate that these stations should be located on outdoor decks with minimal congestion and clear dispersion paths for potential leakages.

In addition, the standards require a detailed explosion analysis to account for leakage scenarios and a comprehensive justification of environmental and disposition factors relevant to each case. These safety measures ensure that any risks posed by hydrogen as a fuel are adequately addressed and mitigated.

Precedents and Future Projects

LR is no newcomer to the world of hydrogen-powered vessels. The organization classified its first hydrogen-fuelled vessel, Hydroville, in 2017, using a risk-based approach due to the absence of prescriptive rules at the time. The same operator later launched the first hydrogen-powered tug, the LR-class Hydrotug, in Ostend.

The current standards apply to both internal combustion engines and fuel cell installations. They have already begun to shape future projects, such as the hydrogen-powered ferries set to operate on Norway’s longest ferry route in 2025. LR granted these vessels approval in principle (AiP) in 2021 through a risk-based assessment.

Long-Term Commitment to Greener Seas

LR’s newly unveiled rules for hydrogen join existing guidelines for methanol, ethanol, ammonia, and ‘drop-in’ liquid biofuels, each addressing specific hazards associated with its respective fuel. It’s part of LR’s long-term commitment to develop competencies in personnel, ensure consistent application of policies, and continuously refine the standards to reflect industry best practices.

These regulations mark a milestone in the maritime industry’s pivot towards sustainable operations, steering ships toward a future where clean, renewable energy sources are the norm. As hydrogen gains ground as a viable alternative fuel, it could revolutionize maritime transportation and contribute to reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.