Hydrogen is attracting growing attention as the maritime industry explores new ways to reduce emissions and move away from fossil fuels. No longer just a technology for the future, hydrogen is already powering commercial vessel operations and demonstrating its potential in real-world applications. But how does it compare with traditional marine fuels, and what should shipowners consider when evaluating hydrogen as part of their future energy strategy?
Understanding the differences is essential for making informed investment decisions and preparing fleets for the next generation of maritime propulsion.
Why the Maritime Industry Is Looking Beyond Conventional Fuels
For decades, commercial shipping has relied primarily on fossil fuels because of their high energy density, established infrastructure, and operational reliability.
However, conventional marine fuels also account for a significant share of the industry's greenhouse gas emissions. As international regulations become more stringent and the IMO works toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by around 2050, the industry is exploring cleaner energy alternatives.
Hydrogen is one of several promising options alongside ammonia, methanol, biofuels, and battery-electric propulsion.
Rather than replacing conventional fuels overnight, these technologies are expected to coexist for many years, with different solutions suited to different vessel types and operational profiles.
What Makes Hydrogen Different?
Hydrogen differs fundamentally from traditional marine fuels because it contains no carbon. When hydrogen is used in a fuel cell, the primary by-products are electricity, heat, and water. This means that fuel-cell-powered vessels can operate without producing carbon dioxide during normal operation.
Hydrogen can also be used in modified internal combustion engines, although fuel cells generally offer higher efficiency and lower local emissions.
As renewable energy production increases, hydrogen is expected to play an increasingly important role in maritime decarbonization.
Comparing Hydrogen and Traditional Marine Fuels
When evaluating future propulsion technologies, several factors should be considered.
Emissions
Hydrogen has the potential to eliminate direct CO₂ emissions when used in fuel cells. Traditional marine fuels continue to produce greenhouse gases during combustion, even as engine technologies become more efficient.
Energy Density
Hydrogen contains a high amount of energy by weight, but significantly less energy by volume than conventional fuels. This means hydrogen requires larger storage tanks or storage under high pressure or at cryogenic temperatures, making onboard storage one of the key engineering challenges. But already has several storage solutions for hydrogen been implemented and is currently being used around the world.
Infrastructure
Conventional marine fuels benefit from well-established global bunkering infrastructure. Hydrogen infrastructure is still developing, although governments, ports, and industry stakeholders are investing heavily in production, storage, and bunkering facilities.
Operational Flexibility
Traditional fuels currently provide greater operational flexibility for long-distance shipping because of their established supply chains. Hydrogen is expected to become increasingly viable as infrastructure expands and fuel production scales up.
Hydrogen Is Part of a Broader Energy Transition
There is no single solution that will decarbonize every vessel. Instead, the maritime industry is moving toward a mix of technologies that includes:
- Battery-electric propulsion
- Hybrid propulsion
- Hydrogen
- Ammonia
- Methanol
- Sustainable biofuels
The optimal solution depends on factors such as vessel type, route length, power requirements, operating profile, and available infrastructure.
For many operators, hybrid systems and battery-electric propulsion provide practical emissions reductions today while creating a platform for integrating future fuels such as hydrogen.
SEAM's Approach to Alternative Fuels
SEAM develops integrated energy and propulsion systems that help shipowners prepare for the transition to low- and zero-emission shipping.
Rather than focusing on a single fuel, SEAM designs flexible energy systems that can accommodate a range of alternative energy sources as technologies and regulations evolve.
Through advanced system integration, automation, power distribution, and energy management, SEAM enables vessel owners to adopt new propulsion technologies while maintaining safe and reliable operations.
Its solutions include:
- Integrated electric propulsion systems
- Hybrid propulsion solutions
- Battery energy storage systems
- Shore charging solutions
- Alternative fuel integration
- Advanced energy and propulsion management through the e-SEAMatic® platform
This modular approach allows vessels to transition gradually toward cleaner energy systems while protecting long-term investments.
SEAM's expertise is demonstrated through projects such as MF Hydra, the world's first ferry powered by liquid hydrogen, which entered commercial operation in Norway in 2023. For the project, SEAM delivered the vessel's fully integrated energy and propulsion system, including electric propulsion, automation, power management, battery integration, hydrogen control and safety systems, shore charging infrastructure, and power distribution. The project highlights SEAM's capability to integrate complex, next-generation energy solutions into safe and reliable vessel operations.
Building a Future-Ready Fleet
Hydrogen represents an exciting opportunity for reducing emissions in maritime transport, particularly as production capacity and fueling infrastructure continue to develop.
At the same time, conventional marine fuels will remain part of the global shipping industry for years to come. The transition to zero-emission shipping is therefore likely to be gradual, with multiple technologies working together to meet different operational needs.
By combining expertise in electric propulsion, hybrid systems, energy management, and alternative fuel integration, SEAM helps shipowners navigate this transition with solutions that are designed for today's operational requirements and tomorrow's energy landscape.
