Drivers and barriers for the large-scale adoption of hydrogen fuel cells by Nordic shipping companies

Abstract

The shipping industry needs to transition towards new fuels and technologies to reduce its environmental impact. A promising option is using hydrogen fuel cells. However, the technology is relatively new and not commercially available at a large scale. This study focuses on the Nordic shipping industry where the first commercial vessels are expected to be launched. Interviews were conducted with high-level managers to identify the factors that influence the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. Sixteen factors are identified as motivating the decision and are categorized as internal, connecting, and external drivers. The most relevant are environmental commitments, customer expectations, and policies and regulations. Eleven factors are identified as limiting the decision and are categorized as behavioral, economic, organizational, and technological barriers. The most significant are high costs, lack of infrastructure, and operational challenges. The drivers and barriers are categorized as company-specific, industry-specific, and technology-specific.