Report: 400+ Hydrogen Carriers Will Be Needed by 2050

A new report issued by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) suggests that more than 400 new hydrogen carriers will be required by 2050. 

The report suggests that due to demand from heavy industry, the shipping industry will need to embark on a swathe of hydrogen vessel construction. The report finds that to meet just 30 million tonnes of annual global green hydrogen demand, the world will need up to 411 new hydrogen vessels (or up to 500 vessels if the hydrogen is to be transported as ammonia). 

At present, there is only a single trading hydrogen carrier vessel in operation; the Suiso Frontier. This vessel has a single 1,250 cu m vacuum-insulated, Type C storage tank. 

Commenting on the report - Turning hydrogen demand into reality: Which sectors come first? - Guy Platten, the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, said: 

“For global hydrogen demand to keep the net-zero by 2050 scenario within reach, demand for hydrogen-based fuel sources would need to scale five times from current levels to reach approximately 500 million tonnes from 2030 to 2050. 

One of the main takeaways in this report is the high variability in potential demand. Industry will dominate the hydrogen demand. Shipping however can play a key role as an enabler to the hydrogen economy.

Regulatory certainty is vital, and governments are the key to unlocking the opportunity for early adopters by prioritising demand incentives over supply support to catalyse offtake agreements. One thing is certain, readiness at ports and infrastructure development to remove barriers for maritime uptake will be crucial. 

This will allow for both maritime and other sectors to move forward, adding energy-security and enhancing diversification. This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the whole energy-maritime value chain”.

The report highlights three economies that are likely to be the main drivers of hydrogen demand - South Korea, Japan, and the EU. Indeed, Europe has a target of 20 million tonnes of hydrogen per year by 2030, with half of that volume predicted to come from imported sources. To meet this demand alone, the global hydrogen carrier fleet will need to increase by up to 300 vessels. 

The report was completed in collaboration with Professor Stefan Ulreich, Professor of Energy Economics at Biberach University of Applied Sciences. Commenting on the report, Ulreich said: 

“Key for the realisation of a future hydrogen economy is the infrastructure for production, but also transportation infrastructure. 

The maritime industry will play a key role by connecting the hydrogen surplus regions with the high consumption areas. However, this necessitates port infrastructure for loading/unloading and pipeline transport from the port to consumers. A coordinated action would help most to deliver this. 

What we are seeing is that the annual hydrogen demand would mean increasing the fleet to transport hydrogen by ship. To meet a global increase of 30 million tonnes of hydrogen traded worldwide, we would need up to 411 new hydrogen vessels (for long distances) or up to 500 vessels if transported as ammonia”.

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