A new report from classification society DNV concludes that pure hydrogen will have only a limited future as a marine fuel, citing fundamental challenges around storage and energy density that make it impractical for most shipping applications.
According to DNV, both compressed and liquefied forms of hydrogen suffer from low volumetric energy density, which significantly undermines their viability for long-distance ocean transport. The organisation’s report, published on Tuesday, argues that maritime demand for hydrogen will instead emerge almost entirely through derivative fuels.
“As a result, hydrogen demand from the maritime sector arises almost exclusively through fuels where hydrogen is embedded in higher-density molecules that are easier to store, transport, and bunker at scale,” DNV stated in the report.
Ammonia and E-Methanol Take Centre Stage
Rather than pure hydrogen, DNV expects the shipping industry’s decarbonisation pathway to run through hydrogen-derived alternatives such as ammonia and e-methanol — fuels that retain hydrogen’s low-carbon credentials while offering more practical handling and storage characteristics at scale.
A $3.2 Trillion Growth Trajectory
Despite the limitations for direct marine use, the broader hydrogen economy is forecast to expand dramatically. DNV projects clean hydrogen volumes will grow one-hundredfold by 2060, supported by cumulative investment of approximately $3.2 trillion across the sector. The organisation estimates that hydrogen could contribute to cutting more than 2 billion metric tons of emissions per year from hard-to-electrify sectors — including shipping, aviation, and heavy industry — by mid-century.
Australia Emerges as a Key Supplier
On the supply side, DNV identifies Australia as a pivotal producer of both hydrogen and ammonia. According to the report, the most significant trade routes are expected to run from Australia to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with those three destinations collectively accounting for roughly two-thirds of all regional hydrogen-related trade.
The report anticipates that Japan and South Korea will primarily import hydrogen and ammonia for power generation purposes, while Singapore’s imports are expected to be driven largely by ammonia bunkering demand — reflecting the city-state’s strategic position as one of the world’s leading marine fuel hubs.
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Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
