DNV has issued two new recommended practices covering the use of hydrogen as a marine fuel and the transport of hydrogen through offshore pipelines. The documents, released this week, address operational and technical considerations linked to hydrogen deployment in shipping and offshore energy infrastructure.
RP-0703 (‘Competence related to use of hydrogen as fuel’) sets out competence requirements for seafarers, inspectors and shore-based technical personnel involved in operating hydrogen-fuelled vessels. Hydrogen, DNV states, is ‘gaining traction as a marine fuel, with seven vessels currently in operation and another 30 in the orderbook’, although uptake remains constrained by concerns around leakage, low ignition energy and the handling of high-pressure or cryogenic storage systems.
The recommended practice is intended to supplement existing frameworks including the STCW Convention and ISM Code, while providing shipowners, training institutions and certification bodies with a reference point for hydrogen-specific operational procedures and emergency preparedness.
Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, CEO Maritime, DNV, said: ‘Hydrogen represents one of several possible pathways in maritime decarbonization. The development of efficient safety regulations and guidelines is fundamental for hydrogen to evolve from large-scale demonstration to commercial use.’
The maritime recommended practice was developed in collaboration with industry partners including Shell, Samskip, Chart Industries and LH2 Shipping.
DNV has also launched RP-F123 (‘Hydrogen pipeline systems’) for offshore hydrogen pipelines. The guidance addresses hydrogen-specific integrity risks, including hydrogen embrittlement, and is intended to support both new pipeline projects and the requalification of existing offshore infrastructure for hydrogen service.
The standard was developed through the H2Pipe joint industry project, which ran from 2021 to 2026 and involved 37 industry participants across pipeline operators, manufacturers and engineering groups.
Prajeev Rasiah, executive vice president and regional director for Northern Europe, Energy Systems at DNV, said that hydrogen ‘cannot be treated as a simple variant of natural gas’: ‘By closing the gaps around material suitability and safety margins, we are giving teams the technical clarity needed to move projects from the study phase into execution.’
DNV said the pipeline guidance supplements its existing submarine pipeline standard (DNV-ST-F101), and adds recommendations for transporting hydrogen gas and hydrogen blends through offshore pipeline systems.
