Hydrogen as a marine fuel is experiencing significant attention as a means of addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and airborne pollution in marine and port environments. Hydrogen, when produced using renewable sources of electricity is a net-zero fuel source. The technology to exploit hydrogen as a fuel, through the use of fuel cells, exists and there are a growing number of vessels entering service and in development that are utilising them. There remain, however significant barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen powered vessels. One of these is the availability of the fuel and refuelling infrastructure. Such infrastructure, when land based, requires significant investment in facilities, use up valuable port real-estate and the ability to rapidly develop such facilities is hindered by the required planning and approval processes.

It is proposed that a floating hydrogen production and storage barge would provide a quick and cost-effective way to provide in-port hydrogen without the requirement for significant shoreside infrastructure or the large-scale transport of hydrogen. This innovation would lower the barriers to adoption of green hydrogen as a Marine Fuel and encourage vessel owners, operators and designers to utilise hydrogen in their vessels.