Maritime CleanTech recently said the HyShip project is entering a new phase as Samskip’s SeaShuttle container vessel becomes the project’s new demonstrator on the Oslo–Rotterdam route.

The move gives HyShip a real-world application on a keyfreight route between Oslo and Rotterdam, linking liquid hydrogen innovation to vessels already under construction for commercial operation. 

By integrating onboard hydrogen storage systems with quayside bunkering systems, the project tackles one of the key challenges in scaling hydrogen-powered shipping: connecting fuel supply and port infrastructure with vessel operations. 

“This brings zero-emission freight transport one step closer to commercial deployment,” it said.

The company said connecting the ports of Oslo and Rotterdam, both part of the TEN-T network, is more than a project milestone. 

“It demonstrates how Europe can turn policy into practice by linking zero-emission vessels, hydrogen supply and bunkering infrastructure along one of the continent’s key freight corridors,” it said. 

It is exactly the kind of cross-border collaboration needed to accelerate the deployment of clean shipping, in line with the European Commission’s ambitions for the Trans-European Transport Network and the recently launched EU Ports Strategy.

As the project coordinator, Maritime CleanTech said it is proud to work with leading European partners to reduce risk, validate solutions and build the confidence needed to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen-powered shipping across Europe.

“We’re also pleased to welcome LH2 Shipping to the consortium. Their expertise in liquid hydrogen systems and bunkering solutions will further strengthen the project and help establish the infrastructure needed for future green shipping corridors,” it said. 

With support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, HyShip is helping connect Europe through zero-emission shipping. 

The consortium also includes Maritime CleanTech, LMG Marin France, sus.lab at ETH Zurich, DNV SE, PERSEE, NCSR Demokritos, University of Strathclyde, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, DianaShipping Services S.A., and NAV-Tech.

Together, the partners bring expertise from across the hydrogen, maritime, research, and regulatory value chain to accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions for liquid hydrogen shipping.

“The market needs projects that reduce uncertainty, align partners, and make future investment decisions easier. This collaboration is strategically important because it helps build confidence in liquid hydrogen as a viable fuel for shipping,” said Tore Boge, Head of EU Projects at Maritime CleanTech.        

HyShip is a European innovation project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, aimed at accelerating the use of liquid hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel for shipping.

Photo credit: Samskip
Published: 13 July, 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025. 

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026

Verra, a nonprofit organisation that develops and manages the standards for climate and sustainable development, recently released a new methodology in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme, VM0053 Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels for Shipping, v1.0. 

Verra said the methodology provides the first structured, independent accounting framework for quantifying emission reductions in maritime transport, bridging a critical regulatory gap in global trade and enabling the related climate benefits to scale.

VM0053 applies to project activities that involve using low-carbon alternative fuels (e.g., hydrogen produced through water electrolysis, green ammonia, and electro fuels [e-fuels] such as e-LNG, e-LPG, e-diesel, and e-methanol) to replace fossil fuels in shipping. 

The methodology applies to new or existing ships, regardless of gross tonnage, operating in territorial or high seas.

Verra added that maritime shipping carries over 80% of global freight and remains a hard-to-abate sector where reducing greenhouse gas emissions has proven to be challenging. 

“This methodology helps unlock finance for low-carbon alternative fuels by creating a new revenue stream that can offset the high premium associated with e-fuels,” it said.

“It supports the use of drop-in alternative fuels that can be used to displace fossil fuels in the engines of existing fleets, leveraging these fleets to realise emission reductions. Additionally, this methodology provides a credible mechanism for sourcing, verifying, and scaling reductions in value chain emissions.”

VMD0053 was developed by Iino Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., Grütter Consulting, and Verra. The methodology underwent public consultation in 2024 as part of Verra’s methodology development process.

Note: The  new methodology ‘VM0053 Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels for Shipping, v1.0’ can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 22 June, 2026