Korean Register (KR) has published a research report assessing the safety risks of hydrogen-fuelled ships and recommending mitigation measures to support safe adoption of hydrogen in maritime operations.
The report arrives amid growing international regulatory activity. At the 11th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), draft interim safety guidelines for hydrogen-fuelled vessels were developed.
Final approval is expected at the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in May 2026.
Hydrogen is gaining attention as a zero-carbon marine fuel and as a feedstock for alternative fuels such as methanol.
Rising international trade in hydrogen is expected to drive demand for hydrogen carriers and hydrogen-fuelled ships.
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However, hydrogen presents unique safety challenges, including high flammability, explosion risk, hydrogen embrittlement, and extreme storage requirements.
Safe handling requires either compressed hydrogen at very high pressures or liquefied hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures around −253°C. Ensuring the reliability of containment, fuel supply, and related onboard systems is a key technical priority.
KR’s report offers a comprehensive technical reference for the maritime sector, covering hydrogen systems, analysis of past incidents, identification of hazards, mitigation strategies, and an overview of relevant international regulations.
KIM Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR, said: “We hope this research will serve as a useful reference for industry, academia, and research institutions involved in the development of hydrogen-fuelled ships. We will continue to support our customers and the maritime industry by advancing technology development and sharing the latest technical knowledge to help address evolving environmental regulations.”
For more information:
Korean Register – https://www.krs.co.kr/kor/
