Hydrogen-powered shipping
HyShip is a European innovation project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, aimed at accelerating the use of liquid hydrogen (LHâ‚‚) as a zero-emission fuel for shipping. It brings together 12 partners coordinated by Maritime CleanTech and is funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under the EU's Horizon Europe program. HyShip validates both hydrogen-powered vessels and the supporting supply chain and bunkering infrastructure needed for large-scale adoption.
The M/F Hydra, the world's first LHâ‚‚-powered vessel, has been operational since March 2023, combining cargo transport with distribution of LHâ‚‚ to bunkering hubs along Norway's west coast. The HyShip project builds on this by using a replicator case across EU short sea shipping (Samskip container vessel), deep sea shipping (Diana bulk carrier), and specialized shipping applications (Wilhelmsen COâ‚‚-cargo vessel) to assess hydrogen's scalability across maritime segments.
Within HyShip, sus.lab leads the work package on business models and incentives, assessing the techno-economics of hydrogen-powered shipping and identifying the policies needed to make it economically viable. This includes:
Mapping the full LHâ‚‚ value chain
Modelling the least-cost pathway for LHâ‚‚ as a marine fuel
Assessing policy levers
Extrapolating the business case from demonstrator to deep-sea shipping
Sus.lab also develops policy recommendations addressing key barriers and incentive structures. By analysing regulatory interactions and engaging industry stakeholders, the project identifies measures to reduce deployment risks, close funding gaps, and accelerate the transition to hydrogen-based maritime transport.
The HyShip project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 101007205. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and from Hydrogen Europe.