Hydrogen

ZESTAs unveils global alliance to advance liquid hydrogen as scalable marine fuel

ZESTAs launched the Global Liquid Hydrogen Alliance, dedicated to advancing pure green hydrogen and liquid hydrogen as a deployable, scalable, and commercially viable zero-emission fuel for shipping.

Published

3 months ago

May 19, 2026

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The Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs) on Monday (18 May) launched the Global Liquid Hydrogen Alliance (Alliance), a new international platform dedicated to advancing pure green hydrogen and liquid hydrogen (LH2) as a deployable, scalable, and commercially viable zero-emission fuel for international maritime shipping.

The Alliance launches as the transition moves from aspiration to deployment.

Over 600 hydrogen project announcements globally are linked to Europe, backed by more than EUR 175 billion (USD 203 billion) in committed investment, yet projects remain fragmented, offtake is uncoordinated, and final investment decisions are stalling. The gap is not ambition. It is architecture. ZESTAs is bringing together the organisations ready to build the LH2 value chain in the real world, faster, at scale, and with credibility.

“Zero-emission shipping is already underway. The investment is moving, the regulation is coming, and the early movers are setting the terms,” said Madadh MacLaine, Alliance Co-founder and Secretary General of ZESTAs.

“According to industry reports, the liquid hydrogen market reflects that momentum: valued at $9 billion today, it is projected to reach $19 billion by 2032 and exceed $54 billion from 2037 onward, with global liquefaction capacity set to more than quadruple in the same period.

“The Global Liquid Hydrogen Alliance exists because LH₂ needs to be at the core of that transition, at scale, not catching up to it. We’re here to do the coordination work that makes deployment happen: evidence, policy alignment, and commercial frameworks that turn LH₂ from a credible option into a bankable fuel.”

Unlike broader hydrogen initiatives focused primarily on derivatives or blended fuels, the Alliance will work exclusively on pure green hydrogen, building a neutral, transparent evidence base and driving the commercial and policy coordination needed to make the fuel bankable and operational.

The Alliance will operate as an action-focused platform built around four priorities:

Build a global ground truth for LH₂

Create a neutral, verifiable evidence base around liquid hydrogen technology, safety, logistics, costs, and performance to support policymakers, investors, ports, shipowners, and offtakers.

Position LH₂ as a primary energy carrier for shipping

Advance a clear, technically grounded argument for LH₂ as a primary zero-emission marine energy carrier, particularly for long-range, energy-dense, and globally tradable applications.

Accelerate market creation and international alignment

Support for demand aggregation, offtaker coordination, standards development, certification pathways, and aligned policy engagement across the IMO, Europe, and across key producing regions like Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and even on the high seas.

Turn policy momentum into deployment

Identify how LH₂ rolls out through shipping corridors, port infrastructure, vessel integration, and supply chain partnerships, including routes that reduce dependence on fossil fuel chokepoints and build energy resilience for importing nations, making the case that climate alignment and supply chain security are the same investment.

“The discussion around zero-emission fuels is now shifting from ‘if’ to ‘how fast.’ Liquid hydrogen offers one of the few scalable pathways for truly zero-emission long-range shipping, and the Alliance is intended to help accelerate the ecosystem needed to make that transition commercially viable,” said Bart Biebuyck, CEO of Hybart and Alliance Co-founder.

The deployment gap for LH2 is geographic and coordination-related, not technical: Europe, which is projected to account for roughly one-third of global hydrogen demand, currently has only around 30 tonnes per day of liquefaction capacity. With vessel deployments already underway and investments in bunkering infrastructure advancing in key port hubs across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, LH2 is ready to scale. The Alliance will provide the technical evidence base, policy coordination, and commercial frameworks that convert available technology into bankable deployment.

“Maritime navigation has the potential to become one of the leading sectors in the adoption of hydrogen technologies,” said Karima El Kmiti, from Dhamma Sea. “Real-world projects are already demonstrating that hydrogen is a viable solution for maritime decarbonisation and the future of cleaner mobility.”

The Alliance is open to companies across the value chain, including shipowners, ports, hydrogen producers, technology developers, classification and safety stakeholders, infrastructure developers, cargo interests, investors, and public-sector partners, united by a shared focus on making LH₂ bankable and deployable now.

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 19 May, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

ClassNK updates safety guidelines for alternative-fuelled ships

The classification society says it has revised the safety requirements within its guidelines for ships using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as marine fuels.

Published

22 hours ago

August 20, 2026

Admin

Classification society ClassNK on Tuesday (18 August) said it has revised the safety requirements within its guidelines for ships using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as marine fuels.

In Part D of the guidelines, covering hydrogen-fuelled ships, the revision incorporates the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Hydrogen as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1701) issued by the IMO this year, and additionally introduces a hydrogen leak frequency table that can be used for the safety assessments required under the IMO guidelines.

In Part A, covering methanol and ethanol-fuelled ships, new structural strength requirements for methanol/ethanol fuel tanks—which are not addressed in the IMO guidelines—have been established.

“Through this revision, shipyards, designers, and shipowners can carry out design and safety assessments in line with the latest international standards, and by utilizing ClassNK’s own leak frequency estimates and the relevant requirements, they can proceed the development of alternative-fuelled ships in a more rationally,” ClassNK said in a statement.

As the building of alternative-fuelled ships advances in response to the global challenge of reducing GHG emissions, ClassNK has comprehensively compiled the safety requirements for ships using methanol, ethanol, LPG, ammonia, and hydrogen—fuels regarded as promising alternatives—and has issued the guidelines.

“Taking into account the risks that the use of alternative fuels poses to the environment, seafarers, and ships, the guidelines set out requirements for equipment, controls, and safety devices to minimize such risks,” it added.

With the issuance of the IMO guidelines for hydrogen-fueled ships (MSC.1/Circ.1701), ClassNK said it has fully incorporated the IMO guidelines to make the guidelines more user-friendly for shipyards, designers, and shipowners, while also enhancing the requirements serving as design and assessment guidance for other alternative fuels.

In the development of the IMO guidelines, now reflected in Part D, ClassNK participated as a member of the Japanese delegation to the IMO Sub-Committee CCC 11 and contributed to the discussions.

Note: The Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.1) can be viewed under “Guidelines” on My Page by registering as a user on the ClassNK website.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 20 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Germany launches EUR 70 million funding programme for green inland shipping corridors

Eligible projects include the installation of zero- or low-emission propulsion systems on newbuild and existing cargo vessels, as well as investments in port infrastructure for alternative fuels.

Published

3 days ago

August 18, 2026

Admin

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) recently opened the first funding call under its new programme for green inland navigation, with up to EUR 70 million (USD 81 million) available for projects to develop green inland shipping corridors.

The funding will support the deployment of zero- and low-emission inland vessels and the development of associated infrastructure.

Eligible projects include the installation of zero- or low-emission propulsion systems on newbuild and existing cargo vessels, as well as investments in port infrastructure for alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.

Funding will also cover facilities for producing renewable electricity and renewable hydrogen, along with storage systems. Infrastructure at transhipment and berthing facilities outside ports, including charging, refuelling and mobile supply equipment, is also eligible.

Companies, municipalities and other economically active organisations based in Germany can apply under the first funding call, which focuses exclusively on establishing green inland shipping corridors. Applications opened on 17 August through the German government’s easy-Online funding portal.

The initiative is also intended to encourage a greater shift of freight and passenger transport to inland waterways, while supporting Germany’s climate targets, European alternative-fuels infrastructure requirements and the long-term competitiveness of the country’s inland shipping sector.

Photo credit: Maxime Vandenberge on Unsplash
Published: 18 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

UK Chamber of Shipping releases industry-first safety evidence base for alternative bunker fuels

Publication provides preliminary, high-level risk assessments covering five key marine fuel pathways: Battery Energy Storage Systems, biofuels, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 4, 2026

Admin

The UK Chamber of Shipping on Monday (3 August) published Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, a report bringing together industry expertise to identify and assess the safety considerations associated with the fuels expected to power shipping’s transition to net zero.

Developed through the Chamber’s Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group (SAFWG), the publication provides preliminary, high-level risk assessments covering five key fuel pathways: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), biofuels, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia.

Francesco Sandrelli, Policy Director (Environment) at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “Shipping is on a critical pathway to net zero. New fuels and energy sources are moving from pilot projects to commercial reality, but safety, standards and operational readiness must keep pace.

“There is no single fuel that will decarbonise shipping. Different vessel types, trades and operating environments will require different solutions. What is essential is that the transition takes place safely. This publication is an important step towards achieving that goal.”

Among the report’s key findings is the need for robust design and process safety frameworks to support the commercial deployment of alternative fuels. The research also highlights a number of cross-cutting themes, including material compatibility, emergency response preparedness, crew training and competence, and the need for clearer regulatory pathways.

The report represents a major collaborative effort by industry to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with alternative marine fuels. It provides practical insights into the known risks, highlights where further work is needed, and creates a foundation for future research, regulation and operational learning.

The SAFWG was established by the UK Chamber of Shipping to support industry understanding of the safety implications associated with emerging zero and near-zero emission fuels.

The report is the culmination of the Working Group’s first year of activity, during which more than 200 participants from over 50 organisations collaborated through a series of technical workshops delivered by Policy Director Francesco Sandrelli, supported by Robert Merrylees and Paul Markides.

The publication forms part of the UK Chamber’s wider work to support shipping’s transition to net zero while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

Future work by the SAFWG will focus on identifying regulatory and knowledge gaps, developing project-specific case studies, expanding stakeholder engagement and establishing an incident and lessons-learned database.

Note: The report, Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, can be found here.

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 4 August, 2026