BV Joins NAVHYS for Liquid Hydrogen in Maritime Applications
Key Ideas
  • Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore is participating in NAVHYS, a European research project focused on advancing the use of liquid hydrogen in maritime applications, funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
  • The project aims to develop innovative solutions for storing and using liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier for maritime transport, starting with hydrogen-fueled Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).
  • BV will provide Approvals in Principle for the design assessment activities, lead safety research, and contribute to rule development specific to liquid hydrogen in maritime environments.
  • NAVHYS, set to run for 36 months with an EU contribution of EUR 5 million, targets Technology Readiness Level 8-9 by 2030, leading to scalable deployment of hydrogen-powered vessels by 2035-2040.
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has announced its participation in NAVHYS, a European research project dedicated to advancing the use of liquid hydrogen (LH2) in maritime applications. Funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, NAVHYs was initiated by the Ariane Group, leveraging their experience with LH2 as a fuel for Ariane rockets. The project's primary focus is on developing innovative solutions for storing and utilizing liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier in maritime transport, with an initial emphasis on hydrogen-fueled Service Operation Vessels (SOVs). BV has actively contributed to the project proposal and consortium structure, bringing expertise in safety, rule development, and classification to support innovation in hydrogen-fueled vessels. One key technical aspect NAVHYs is addressing is the utilization of below-deck Type C LH2 tanks as marine fuel for SOVs, with envisioned storage tanks of 200-300 cubic meters and the capacity to carry 12-18 tonnes of liquid hydrogen. BV will issue three Approvals in Principle (AiPs) through its Design Assessment activities, covering the liquid hydrogen storage system, fuel system, and their integration into an SOV. Additionally, BV will lead safety research and rule development tailored to liquid hydrogen in maritime settings. The project will explore shore-based hydrogen supply solutions and the lifecycle of hydrogen-fueled vessels. Formally launched in January 2025, NAVHYS is expected to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8-9 by 2030, facilitating real-world deployment of hydrogen-powered vessels between 2035 and 2040. Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore's president, Matthieu de Tugny, expressed pride in supporting the NavHyS project to address challenges related to liquid hydrogen deployment in shipping, emphasizing a commitment to innovative technologies for maritime decarbonization. According to Nicolas Hardouin, program manager at ArianeGroup, the project's design of the liquid hydrogen fuel system and its integration below deck in the ship signify a significant innovation compared to past maritime projects.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.