Transitioning Maritime Transportation to Hydrogen Fuel: Implications and Optimization for the Supply Chain

Abstract

In today’s world, the transportation sector is actively seeking alternative fuels to reduce its CO₂ emissions. Questions are emerging regarding our ability to shift fleets to greener fuels, the cost of such a transition, and above all, how to overcome the various barriers hindering this transition across air, road, rail, and maritime transport.This thesis therefore aims to analyse the future hydrogen supply chain in Belgium in order to identify the barriers to its implementation and explore how these can be overcome. With what objective in mind? That of fuelling ships passing through our Belgian ports with hydrogen fuel, with the goal of enabling the transition of maritime transport to hydrogen. An extensive literature review, complemented by interviews, made it possible to build a solid contextual foundation (Chapter 2), which describes the hydrogen supply chain in detail, alongside the current state of maritime transportation. Through this analysis, two main barriers to implementing a hydrogen network in Belgium emerged among others: water availability for hydrogen production, and hydrogen losses during transport & storage. To ensure sufficient water availability in Belgium—particularly during drought periods—rethinking spatial planning appears to be a viable solution according to Costantini (personal communication, 2024). This involves locating the most water-intensive production methods in clusters located in the Walloon region (Liège and Charleroi) with more abundant water resources, and production methods being less water-intensive in Flanders although further research is needed to assess the practical feasibility of this recommendation. Regarding hydrogen losses, the recommendations proposed by Fan & al. (2022)—especially recommendation 4, which advocates for expanded support for R&D programs focused on hydrogen leakage detection, prevention, and mitigation—should be seriously considered. In addition, the creation of a NHSS, which aims to better connect the different links of the hydrogen supply chain, appears to be a relevant solution. It would help adjust production to actual demand, significantly reduce the need for storage, and ensure that the right amount of hydrogen is transported to refuel vessels in Belgian ports. This will not only reduce hydrogen losses but also ensure a highly precise use of raw materials for hydrogen production, such as water resources.