Hydrogen Technologies and Fuel Supply Chains for Decarbonising Road, Maritime, and Aviation Transport

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition toward net-zero emissions has accelerated interest in hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels, including e-methane, e-methanol, and e-ammonia, as promising solutions for decarbonising hard-to-abate transport sectors such as road transport, maritime shipping, and aviation. Compared with conventional fossil fuels, these alternative fuels offer significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly when produced from renewable energy sources. In recent years, increasing numbers of pilot projects, demonstration programs, and commercial applications have emerged worldwide, highlighting the growing industrial and academic interest in hydrogen-based energy systems.

Across transport sectors, practical applications are rapidly expanding. In road transport, hydrogen fuel cell trucks and buses are increasingly deployed in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany, supported by the continuous expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. In the maritime sector, hydrogen technologies have progressed from small demonstration vessels to commercial-scale applications. Over 50 hydrogen-powered vessels have been developed globally, demonstrating significant advances in hydrogen storage, bunkering, fuel cells, and onboard energy systems. An increasing number of vessels that use hydrogen-derived fuels such as methanol and ammonia have been ordered. In aviation, Airbus continues to advance its ZEROe hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts, while airports and airlines are actively evaluating hydrogen infrastructure and sustainable aviation fuel pathways.

Despite these encouraging developments, many of the relevant technologies and engineering solutions remain at an early or transitional stage of development. Significant challenges still exist in areas including fuel production, logistics, onboard storage, fuel handling, refuelling systems, thermal management, energy conversion technologies (such as fuel cells, internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and hybrid power systems), as well as lifecycle performance and economic competitiveness. Continuous technological advancement and engineering innovation are therefore essential to enable the large-scale adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels across the transport sector.

Fuel availability and supply chain development remain among the most critical barriers to widespread implementation. Compared with conventional fossil fuel supply networks, hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuel supply chains are still immature and fragmented. Challenges related to fuel production, storage, transportation, distribution infrastructure, port and terminal development, logistics optimisation, regulatory compliance, investment strategies, and market mechanisms require further investigation. In addition, issues associated with safety, operational reliability, environmental impact assessment, techno-economic analysis, and policy support continue to attract substantial research attention.

This Special Issue aims to provide an international platform for researchers, engineers, industry practitioners, and policymakers to share the latest advancements, challenges, and future perspectives related to hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels in the transport sector. Original research articles, review papers, technical notes, and case studies are all welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuel technologies;
• Fuel production and supply chain development;
• Engineering solutions for transport applications;
• Fuel storage, handling, and bunkering/refuelling systems;
• Fuel cells, internal combustion engines, turbines, and hybrid systems;
• Logistics and supply chain optimisation;
• Safety, risk assessment, and regulatory frameworks;
• Techno-economic and lifecycle assessment;
• Infrastructure development and operational strategies;
• Digitalisation and intelligent energy management systems;
• Demonstration projects and industrial case studies;
• Policy, market development, and financial considerations.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and fostering interdisciplinary discussions that support the global transition toward sustainable and low-carbon transport systems.

Dr. Hongjun Fan
Dr. Peggy Chen
Guest Editors

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