Handbook for Hydrogen‑Fuelled Vessels – 2nd Edition

Your concise guide to safely adopting hydrogen as a marine fuel

First name

Last name

Company name

Job title

Country

Industry type

How did you hear about us

By completing this form, I confirm that I have read the privacy statement and understood and accept the terms of use.

I would like to receive informational emails with related content in the future from DNV, for example but not limited to invitations to webinars, seminars, newsletters, or access to research that DNV thinks is relevant to me. I can unsubscribe or change my email preferences at any time using the links in the footer of the emails I receive from DNV.

Hydrogen is one of the most promising zero‑emission fuels for the maritime sector. As the industry moves toward cleaner operations, shipowners and designers need reliable, science‑based guidance to implement hydrogen safely and effectively.

To support this transition, DNV and a broad group of industry partners have released the updated Handbook for Hydrogen‑Fuelled Vessels – 2nd Edition. Building on the original 2021 publication, the new edition provides updated risk‑based design principles, risk modelling of a generic vessel case, and practical measures for reducing safety risks across hydrogen‑fuelled ship designs.

The 2nd Edition incorporates findings from Phase 2 of the Maritime Hydrogen Safety (MarHySafe) JDP, strengthening the scientific and regulatory foundation for hydrogen projects. Key updates include:

Risk‑based design principles for hydrogen systems
Updated risk modelling descriptions
Enhanced safety barriers and risk‑reduction measures
Latest regulatory and standard updates
A full explosion risk analysis for a conceptual compressed‑hydrogen fuelled cargo vessel

A major enhancement is a comprehensive CFD‑based explosion risk study covering:

Leak and dispersion behavior
Ignition likelihood and explosion loads
Structural impact and mitigation measures
Inputs for Alternative Design approvals

This provides a science‑based basis for safely integrating compressed hydrogen on board.

Understand hydrogen behavior and key safety considerations
Streamline HAZID, QRA, ERA and Alternative Design processes
Access up‑to‑date engineering guidance for LH₂ and CH₂ systems
Ensure alignment with evolving IMO interim guidelines and global standards
Build confidence across teams working on hydrogen pathways

Part A: Hydrogen fundamentals and system configurations
Part B: Regulations, codes and approval routes
Part C: Safety and risk assessment methodologies
Special focus: Explosion risk analysis for compressed hydrogen vessels
Appendices: Models, templates and supporting documentation

Complete the short form above to receive the Handbook for Hydrogen‑Fuelled Vessels – 2nd Edition directly in your inbox.

To receive the download link to our paper via email, please fill in this form