NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
$3.9 Million Is Now Available To Support Innovative Maritime Solutions To Transport Clean Hydrogen

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced $3.9 million is now available to support the development of innovative maritime solutions to transport clean hydrogen in New York State. This funding advances new and retrofitted vessels as another option to deliver and distribute clean hydrogen, helping to unlock the broader in-state supply chain to meet the infrastructure needs of the low-carbon fuel deployment. Today's announcement will help the clean hydrogen industry to overcome logistical and economic challenges posed by land-based transportation options, offer the potential for significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies, and support the development of this resource as a potential solution to decarbonize industrial processes in the State's energy transition.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Investing in innovative ways to scale the delivery of clean hydrogen to where it is needed is an essential step to ensuring this emerging fuel can contribute to New York State's clean energy transition. The transport solutions brought forward through this opportunity will help facilitate the safe adoption of clean hydrogen in hard-to-electrify sectors, potentially providing another reliable resource as part of a diverse, abundant energy mix available to businesses and consumers alike."

The competitive Maritime Hydrogen Transport solicitation , offered through NYSERDA's Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Storage Program, seeks qualified proposers to develop efficient, economically viable, and scalable new or retrofitted maritime vessels that can deliver a minimum of 20,000 kilograms of clean hydrogen per shipment with a minimum delivery distance of 100 nautical miles. Proposals will be accepted from eligible project teams composed of maritime or naval architects, shipyards and vessel operators in New York State. To qualify, these entities must partner with a clean hydrogen fuel supplier. This solicitation does not require that the proposed ship or vessel to be powered by hydrogen.

Preference will be given to proposing teams with experience designing, building and operating vessels that transport clean hydrogen or alternative fuels, or teams familiar with New York State waterways and marine ports. A minimum of an at least 50% cost-share is required from non-NYSERDA funding sources.

Rigorous adherence to maritime and hydrogen safety standards, operations and compliance is required. Proposal teams are also required to engage with local communities, including disadvantaged communities as defined by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group, low-income and rural communities to highlight the projects economic and community benefits.

Proposals are due by October 1 by 3:00 p.m. ET. A complete list of all eligibility rules and evaluation criteria can be found in the solicitation summary on NYSERDA's website .

NYSERDA will host an informational webinar on July 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET to provide more explanation on the solicitation, project requirements, and the application process.

Interested proposers wishing to identify other potential partners with complementary capabilities when submitting proposals can find NYSERDA's Hydrogen Partners List here .

United States Hydrogen Alliance Founder and Executive Director Roxana Bekemohammadi said, "This solicitation underscores New York's forward-thinking approach to clean hydrogen deployment. By advancing maritime hydrogen transportation, the state is addressing a critical gap in infrastructure while leveraging its extensive waterways to accelerate near-term distribution solutions. With deep expertise in maritime hydrogen among our membership, we are encouraged to see state leadership enabling the innovation needed to scale clean hydrogen before broader pipeline networks are in place."

National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) President David Terry said, "As State and Territory Energy Offices work to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen and other innovative energy technologies, safe and efficient distribution networks are increasingly critical. NYSERDA's investment in maritime solutions to transport clean hydrogen will help connect hydrogen production sites with demand centers, allowing the industry to scale while utilizing the region's waterways."

Today's announcement builds on New York State's ongoing investments in clean hydrogen-based solutions and efforts to scale them as a resource through a connected network of projects across the state. Clean hydrogen-based technologies have the potential to reduce pollution statewide, including in underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by airborne pollutants from industrial processes and high volumes of traffic in congested areas. NYSERDA's Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Storage Program actively invests in optimizing technologies that provide the opportunity to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors and improve grid resiliency. Learn more about NYSERDA's hydrogen innovation work by exploring past and current activities on NYSERDA's website.

For more than 50 years, NYSERDA has been a trusted and objective resource for New Yorkers, taking on the critical role of energy planning and policy analysis, along with making investments that drive New York toward a more sustainable future. NYSERDA's Innovation and Research (I&R) program is deploying approximately $1.2 billion over 15 years as direct research investments and commercialization support. To date, more than $800 million in investments have supported more than 700 companies and made approximately 300 products commercially available to individuals, businesses, and utilities.

Funding for this initiative is through the Clean Energy Fund.

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

NYSERDA

Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York's energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov.