Korean Register says IMO hydrogen fuel rules could speed ship commercialization
In Korea, Korean Register says the IMO is on track to adopt its first international safety rules for ships using compressed gaseous hydrogen and liquefied hydrogen as fuel, a move that could accelerate the development of hydrogen fueled vessels as shipping looks for cleaner propulsion options.
KR said the draft Interim Guidelines were developed at the 11th session of the Sub Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers in September 2025 and are due for final approval at the 111th Maritime Safety Committee in May 2026. The society said the rules would come as demand grows for hydrogen carriers and hydrogen fueled ships, with hydrogen seen not only as a carbon free marine fuel but also as a feedstock for other alternatives such as methanol.
According to the report, commercialization still faces a harder engineering reality. Unlike conventional fuels, hydrogen brings high flammability, explosion risk, cryogenic hazards and hydrogen embrittlement, while industry understanding of those dangers remains limited. Its report was published to address that gap, covering maritime hydrogen systems, accident cases, hazard identification and risk mitigation measures for shipbuilding and shipping companies.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
