Hydrogen-Powered Marine Vessels: A Rewarding yet Challenging Route to Decarbonization

The maritime industry, while indispensable to global trade, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 3% of global emissions. As international regulatory bodies, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), push for ambitious decarbonization targets, hydrogen-based technologies have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. This review critically examines the potential of hydrogen fuels—including hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICEs)—for maritime applications. It provides a comprehensive analysis of hydrogen production methods, storage technologies, onboard propulsion systems, and the associated techno-economic and regulatory challenges. A detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) compares the environmental impacts of hydrogen-powered vessels with conventional diesel engines, revealing significant benefits particularly when green or blue hydrogen sources are utilized. Despite notable hurdles—such as high production and retrofitting costs, storage limitations, and infrastructure gaps—hydrogen holds considerable promise in aligning maritime operations with global sustainability goals. The study underscores the importance of coordinated government policies, technological innovation, and international collaboration to realize hydrogen’s potential in decarbonizing the marine sector.