Roadmap for safe handling of H2-derivatives at Baltic Sea Ports

The safe deployment of hydrogen-derived fuels such as methanol and ammonia requires more than technical readiness, it depends on clear procedures, coordinated governance, and well-defined safety frameworks. The H2Deri@BSP project partner Gasum in cooperation with Viereon and BowWave Consulting translates current practices and regulatory expectations into a structured approach for ports across the Baltic Sea Region.

From fragmented practices to structured safety approaches

Safety requirements for alternative fuels in EU ports are currently heterogeneous and often derived from adjacent sectors, such as chemicals or conventional fuels. While these provide a solid foundation, they are not always directly applicable to port-specific operations such as bunkering. The guidebook consolidates existing regulatory requirements, industry standards, and operational experiences, highlighting that risk-based approaches that are anchored in methodologies such as HAZID, HAZOP and SIMOPS, which are essential to bridge these gaps and ensure safe implementation.

From planning to implementation: checklists and procedures

A central outcome is a process-driven roadmap supported by a practical checklist, enabling ports to move from concept to operation in a controlled and verifiable way. The checklist translates complex requirements into actionable steps, ensuring that key elements such as stakeholder coordination, safety zone definition, licensing, and emergency preparedness are addressed systematically.

Importantly, the report also defines standardised operational procedures covering all phases of bunkering: preparation, connection, transfer, and post-operation. These procedures ensure that safeguards identified during planning are consistently implemented on-site, supporting alignment between all involved parties and reducing operational risks.

Strengthening capacity and governance

The findings underline that safety is not only a technical issue, but also an organisational one. Ports act as coordinators, regulators, and assurance bodies, responsible for verifying that risk assessments, procedures, and training requirements are in place. At the same time, responsibilities are distributed across multiple stakeholders, including terminal operators, bunker suppliers, and authorities.

To address this complexity, the guidebook provides recommendations for capacity building, particularly for public authorities and port administrations. This includes strengthening competencies in risk assessment, permitting processes, and operational oversight, as well as establishing clear frameworks for verifying training and responsibilities across all actors.

Get involved

Ports, authorities, and industry stakeholders are invited to collaborate and further develop these safety approaches in practice.

👉 Click here to download the full guidebook to access detailed checklists, procedures, and safety recommendations.
👉 Contact the H2Deri@BSP project to collaborate and test the safe implementation guidebook for hydrogen-derived fuels in ports.

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