Ports & Infrastructure
Hydrogen Highway
London
A groundbreaking programme led by the Port of London Authority, exploring clean hydrogen as a viable, scalable alternative to fossil fuels for the UK’s maritime sector. The initiative explored the full hydrogen supply chain, from offshore production powered by floating wind farms, through containerised hydrogen transport via autonomous vessels, to safe port-side handling and land-based distribution.
Client: Port of London
cost
£1.2M
duration
3 Years
Project Management
Employer's Agent
The Opportunity
Backed by a £1.2 million Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) grant and supported by the Department for Transport, the Maritime Hydrogen Highway focused on enabling clean maritime technology in support of the UK Government’s 2050 carbon neutrality target and the PLA’s own Thames Vision commitment to Net Zero by 2040.
Seven interconnected Work Packages were developed to assess technical feasibility, safety, and commercial viability of green hydrogen within port and shipping environments:
The Challenges
Key challenges included aligning a consortium of partners, including academic institutions, marine technology firms, and regulatory bodies, to collaborate across diverse technical domains. The programme also faced challenges in applying the proposals to existing infrastructure, particularly in the absence of clear regulations for hydrogen use in maritime settings. Ensuring cross-sector integration, while maintaining focus on safety, cost, and commercial readiness, required careful coordination and a shared long-term vision.
The Outcome
The study confirms that green hydrogen can be safely and affordably produced and transported at scale using existing UK maritime infrastructure. It offers significant greenhouse gas reductions, avoids the need for extensive pipeline investment, and delivers hydrogen at nearly half the current market cost.
The findings highlight the UK’s potential to lead in clean maritime innovation, but also identify critical gaps, particularly around regulation and early-stage infrastructure funding.
The PLA and partners are now calling for:
– A clear UK regulatory framework for hydrogen-based maritime operations
– Targeted investment in hydrogen-ready port infrastructure
– Continued cross-sector collaboration to drive commercial hydrogen adoption
The programme’s recommendations now serve as guidance for future legislative and investment decisions to support Net Zero goals. Further details and findings can be found here: https://pla.co.uk/maritime-hydrogen-highway