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In a new study, business chemists at the University of Münster assess the costs of small, autonomous, hydrogen-powered boats. They show in which scenarios these boats are not only more sustainable but also more economical compared to established transport solutions.
Cargo transport is responsible for an enormous carbon footprint. Between 2010 and 2018 the transport sector generated around 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To address this problem, experts are looking for alternative, climate-friendly solutions – not only for road transport, but also for shipping, a sector in which powering cargo ships with batteries has proved especially difficult. One promising but hardly researched solution involves small, autonomous, hydrogen-powered boats that can partially replace long-haul trucking. A research team led by business chemist Prof Stephan von Delft from the University of Münster has now examined this missing link. It has mathematically modelled such a boat for the first time and carried out a life cycle- and cost analysis. “Our calculations show in which scenarios hydrogen-powered boats are not only more sustainable but also more economical compared to established transport solutions,” explains Stephan von Delft. “They are therefore relevant for policymakers and industry.”
Based on their mathematical model, the researchers calculated the emissions and total costs per kilometre driven. They differentiated between cheap “grey” hydrogen, which is produced from fossil fuels via steam reforming, and the low-emission but more expensive “green” hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energies using water electrolysis. They compared these results with the total costs of diesel-, hydrogen- and battery-powered trucks. The results show that boats powered by green hydrogen are less expensive to operate than diesel-powered trucks for distances over 576 km and cheaper than battery- or hydrogen-powered trucks for distances over 624 km. Accordingly, such a boat could be the most cost-effective solution for transporting goods over longer distances beyond 624 km. Extrapolated to the entire road transport market, autonomous, hydrogen-powered boats have the potential to capture 18% of the market (approx. 350 bn ton km) more cost-effectively than truck transport.
The analysed boats can transport exactly one standard container. This means that they cannot replace container ships on the open sea. However, doctoral student Simon Schlehuber points out that they present an interesting alternative for inland shipping, especially compared with trucks, which also transport exactly one container. In addition, the boats could expand the shippable river network due to their shallow draught and maintain shipping operations, especially in times of low water levels. “The latter is an important advantage against the backdrop of climate change,” emphasises Simon Schlehuber.
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Stephan von Delft
University of Münster
Institute of Business Administration at the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy
Mail: stephan.vondelft@uni-muenster.de
Schlehuber S. et al (2025): Assessment of environmental impacts and costs for hydrogen-powered cargo shipping in Europe; Communications Engineering 4, 50. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00388-4
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