Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published what it says is the maritime industry’s first dedicated guidance notes for onboard hydrogen generation, as a response to growing interest from shipowners, yards and technology developers in producing hydrogen onboard using alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia.

Although it allows shipowners to avoid the need for space-demanding and complex compressed or liquefied hydrogen storage systems and eliminate dependence on the future development of widespread hydrogen supply chains and bunkering infrastructure, producing hydrogen directly on board presents safety and regulatory challenges due to the presence of two gases or low-flashpoint fuels and the absence of mature international regulations.