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Hydrogen (H2) is a light, volatile, colourless, and extremely flammable gas. Due to the chemical composition of the fuel, hydrogen is considered a zero-carbon fuel with no carbon in the chemical molecule. It does have flammability and explosive issues which require special handling for storage and transport.

For vessels above 500GT, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) works with operators and Classification Societies to regulate vessels using hydrogen as a marine fuel, under the International Maritime Organisation鈥檚 (IMO) International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). These are applicable through the use of the alternative design arrangement. The MCA is also currently developing interim guidelines for the use of Liquefied Hydrogen at the IMO. For vessels carrying hydrogen as cargo, they can utilise the IMO鈥檚 International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) interim guidelines. For smaller vessels using hydrogen as fuel, no prescriptive regulations currently exist and are considered on a case-by- case basis, guided by experts from MCA鈥檚 Technical Operations, Regulation and Standards and Seafarer Technical Delivery teams.

Key contacts

Any existing customers wishing to build or convert a vessel to operate using hydrogen as fuel are encouraged, in the first instance, to contact their MCA Customer Service Manager who will be able to advise further on the process and where necessary set up a meeting with MCA subject matter leads to discuss the proposals in detail.

New customers or those without a Customer Service Manager should contact: HQSurvey@mcga.gov.uk