Feasibility of Retrofitting a Conventional Vessel with Hydrogen Power Systems: A Case Study in Australia

As the pursuit of greener energy solutions continues, industries worldwide are turning away from fossil fuels and exploring the development of sustainable alternatives to meet their energy requirements. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Australia has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission by 43% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Australia’s domestic maritime sector should align with these targets. This paper aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to achieve these goals by examining the technical and commercial considerations involved in retrofitting conventional vessels with hydrogen power. This includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of cost, risk, and performance, and compliance with classification society rules, international codes, and Australian regulations. This study was conducted using a small domestic commercial vessel as a reference to explore the feasibility of implementation of hydrogen-fuelled vessels (HFVs) across Australia. The findings indicate that Australia’s existing hydrogen infrastructure requires significant development for HFVs to meet the cost, risk, and performance benchmarks of conventional vessels. The case study identifies key determining factors for feasible hydrogen retrofitting and provides recommendations for the success criteria.