Hydrogen ships are moving from future concepts to practical applications, and three pictures of different types of hydrogen ships clearly outline a clear development path: from the ultimate vision to a small prototype with mature technology to real zero-emission transportation in the city.

The first image shows a luxury hydrogen yacht with avant-garde shapes and smooth lines. It presents a futuristic vision of hydrogen-powered marine propulsion, with a minimalist metal shell and an inverted bow: an emission-free, vibration-free, near-silent luxury experience. This concept ship primarily uses liquid hydrogen and large fuel cells, representing the ultimate application of hydrogen energy technology on high-power ships and symbolizing the direction and ambition of the entire industry.

The second image returns to a more pragmatic level: YANMAR's hydrogen-fuel-cell high-speed dinghy. This small vessel, painted in red and white, is the actual size at which hydrogen energy is most likely to land first. It can be equipped with high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders and fuel cell modules, providing smooth propulsion, low noise, zero warm-up start-up, and minimal maintenance requirements, making it ideal as a basic platform for inspection, scientific research, port management, or coastal operations.

The third map represents the future of urban mobility: medium-sized hydrogen ferries. It uses fuel cells as the main propulsion and tens of kilograms of high-pressure hydrogen storage, providing long-term quiet, exhaust-free navigation in harbor waters. For port cities, hydrogen ferries can reduce noise, oil odors, and air pollution, and also symbolize a key turning point in hydrogen energy, moving from demonstration to daily transportation.

The technical feasibility of small hydrogen vessels includes a proven 20–60 kW PEM fuel cell, 350 bar hydrogen storage, 6–12 hours of sailing time, and full compliance with safety standards such as ISO, DNV, and IEC. Although the construction cost is about twice that of diesel ships, the overall life-cycle cost is more competitive due to the lower maintenance and energy efficiency of fuel cells.

Emissions: Hydrogen zero emissions; Diesel CO₂, NOx, SOx

Noise: Hydrogen energy is extremely low; Diesel has high noise and high vibration

Start-up: Hydrogen energy starts and goes; Diesel needs to be warmed up

Maintenance: Hydrogen, low maintenance; Diesel, high maintenance

Fuel costs: low to medium hydrogen energy; Diesel is medium to high

Energy efficiency: hydrogen 45–55%; Diesel 20–35%

Initial cost: higher hydrogen energy; Diesel is lower

Total LCC cost: Hydrogen energy is lower; Diesel is higher