Knowledge base for renewable fuels in shipping
The shipping sector is a significant emitter of carbon dioxide, with more than 99% of the world's fleet currently fuelled by fossil oil and gas. To achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the shipping industry must undergo a transformation: vessels need to become significantly more energy-efficient, and there must be a rapid transition to fuels with low or zero carbon emissions. Hydrogen-based fuels – known as H2-derivatives – are expected to play a key role in this transition.
Many ports face substantial challenges in planning, preparing and enabling access to renewable fuels for ships in port. Decision-making is hindered by a lack of reliable information regarding which fuels will dominate in the future, and in what quantities and qualities they will be available. At the same time, ports have a very long planning horizon that requires today’s investments in fuel infrastructure to be in line with supply and demand far beyond the year 2050.
A current lack of knowledge
In the Baltic Sea region, the decarbonisation of shipping is heavily dependent on the capacity to produce and manage H2-derived fuels. However, there is currently a widespread lack of knowledge – not only among port authorities, terminal operators, shipping companies, and energy suppliers, but also among public authorities and policymakers. These stakeholders play a vital role in enabling the transition and in facilitating the expansion of renewable electricity production.
H2Derivatives@BSP is a collaborative initiative aimed at building a shared knowledge base to support the development of system-level solutions that can facilitate the shipping sector’s shift to renewable electrofuels such as methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia – commonly referred to as H2-derivatives.
The project will develop practical tools and strategies to support the transition to hydrogen-based fuels. This includes market forecasts for H2-derived fuels and techno-economic models to serve as decision support for future infrastructure investments. The project will also examine how port regulations need to be adapted to accommodate new fuels, including the development of safety manuals and bunkering procedures, which will be both described and tested. All project activities are conducted in close dialogue with key stakeholders across the shipping and port sectors.
Cooperation with northern ports
In the Swedish part of the project, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is collaborating with Closer/Lindholmen Science Park, LTU Business and Port of Luleå and Port of Piteå in Northern Sweden. The project is funded by Interreg, co-founded by the European Union and supported by the Swedish Transport Administration for the Swedish part of the project. The three-year project involves 15 partners and 22 associated organisations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Germany.
Find out more on the project website. External link, opens in new window.
What Are H2-Derived Fuels?
H2-derived fuels are projected to play a central role in shipping decarbonisation. These fuels are produced using hydrogen (H2) as a primary feedstock, typically generated via electrolysis. The hydrogen is then combined with elements such as carbon (C) or nitrogen (N) to create energy-dense, storable fuels suitable for use in shipping applications.
Motivation from the funder Interreg Baltic Sea Region
The adoption of low- and zero-carbon maritime fuels in the Baltic Sea Region depends on the ability of seaports to accommodate hydrogen derivatives such as methanol and ammonia. Key stakeholders like port authorities, terminal operators, maritime fuel providers, and energy suppliers need an understanding of the market, technological developments, bunkering infrastructure, regulations, and public communication strategies. Co-financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region, the H2Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts (H2Deri@BSP) project would address these needs through collaborative development of proof-of-concepts for hydrogen derivative fuels.
Running from March 2025 to February 2028 under the leadership of Port of Hamburg Marketing, the project aims to enhance stakeholder capacity and accelerate the transition to sustainable maritime operations.
Read more about IVL's research on shipping and fuels
Project facts
- Project name: H2-Deri@BSP (H2-Derivates@BalticSeaPorts)
- Budget: 2 858 359 euro
- Funding: Interreg Baltic Sea Region and, for the Swedish project part, The Swedish Transport Administraion.
- Project partners: Port of Hamburg Marketing (projektledning), Alexela, Port of Kiel, Port of Helsinki, Port of Tallinn, Freeport of Ventspils Authority, Association of German Seaport Operators, Gasum Ltd, Mabanaft GmbH & Co, Hamburg Port Authority AöR, Port of Esbjerg, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Closer/Lindholmen Science Park, Port of Luleå, Public limited liability company Klaipeda and 22 associated partners.
- Period: 2025 - 2028
Contributes to the UN Global Goals
