Breaking the green hydrogen deadlock? Contextual factors for hydrogen-based fuels in Nordic ports

Journal article, 2026

To fulfil climate change commitments and transition towards net zero carbon economies, there is a need for Nordic nations to explore the development and deployment of alternative fuels. In this context, this inquiry presents the first comparative analysis of drivers for and barriers to implementing green hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels (hydrogen, methanol, ammonia) within potential hydrogen hubs in Nordic ports. To support the development of hydrogen hubs to meet ambitious decarbonization targets for maritime shipping and relevant industry, this study focuses on five case studies from Sweden and Iceland. 64 semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders are used to examine the potential for ports to become hydrogen hubs. This is done by exploring the relative strength of drivers and barriers related to different phases of hydrogen hub development and the influential context-specific and necessary enabling factors. Key findings illustrate market opportunities, consumer demand, and environmental commitments as shared drivers for each case, while high costs, insufficient policy instruments, and limited energy resources and grid capacity emerge as shared barriers. The frequently dualistic nature of these factors underscores the need for policy frameworks to bridge the gap between current limitations and future potential. The main policy implications include a need for provision of funding for more Nordic pilot projects, increasing renewable electricity capacity, and implementing sufficient economic incentives to support hydrogen-based fuel upscaling and ensure cost-competitiveness in comparison with existing fossil fuel-based alternatives. This can help to encourage strategic investments in infrastructure and coordinated policy measures to unlock the potential of hydrogen hubs.