Bridging Hydrogen Policy and Regulatory Implementation: A Governance Framework for Colombia’s Maritime and Inland Waterway Sector

Hydrogen has emerged as a strategic energy vector for hard-to-electrify sectors, including maritime and inland waterway transport. However, important gaps remain between hydrogen policy frameworks and the practical conditions required for implementation in specific territorial and sectoral contexts. This study analyzes this policy–implementation gap using small-scale maritime and inland waterway vessels in Colombia, which fall outside the scope of SOLAS and the IGF Code, as a case study. The research combines literature review, policy and regulatory analysis of 40 instruments, technological surveillance and a 12-passenger vessel case to evaluate the conditions required for responsible hydrogen deployment. The study proposes an integrated framework that connects hydrogen implementation with territorial resource availability, water sustainability, safety requirements, regulatory conditions, industrial capabilities, infrastructure constraints, and energy security. Particular attention is given to water resource management for green hydrogen production, a factor often insufficiently incorporated into hydrogen policy despite its relevance to sustainable development. Results show that 71% of applicable national regulatory requirements are missing (20% internationally) and that hydrogen should complement an electricity system that is already 70–87% renewable. The findings show that hydrogen deployment cannot be treated only as a technological or decarbonization strategy; it requires coordinated governance mechanisms capable of aligning policy ambition with territorial, environmental, industrial, and operational realities.