As the use of hydrogen for decarbonization and achieving net-zero targets grows, the maritime transport of hydrogen carriers such as Compressed Gaseous Hydrogen (CGH2), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2), Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), and Ammonia has become critical. However, safety concepts for handling, storing and transporting these hydrogen carriers as fuel are still underdeveloped, with technological advancements in the early stages. Currently, ensuring the safe design and operation of hydrogen distribution, bunkering, storage, handling, and supply, power conversion, and possible residue handling is a major challenge.
One of the task’s of the SAFeCRAFT Project, led by University of Strathclyde, was to investigate the properties of these hydrogen carriers, identifying major hazards as well as reviewing IMO’s IGF Code and various Classification Societies’ guidelines on low-flashpoint fuels and hydrogen, highlighting current regulatory limitations.
From the review carried out, no existing guidelines provide detailed safety requirements for CGH2, LH2, LOHC, and Ammonia. Effective methods to detect and monitor leakage from these carriers are essential to mitigate their explosiveness and flammability. Further research is also needed to find materials resistant to hydrogen permeation.
Recognizing these limitations, the development of a risk assessment methodology to create guidelines that ensure safety by identifying and evaluating various risk factors is recommended.
The key findings and recommendations from this research are documented and will serve as valuable input for various tasks throughout the duration of the Project.
