Technical matters aside, assisting the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and also Europe's central committee for inland navigation CESNI, to formulate international regulations is absolutely crucial for achieving the unrestricted use of fuel cells, including low flashpoint fuels, such as hydrogen, methanol, LNG and synthetic diesel (IGF Code for Low Flashpoint Fuels). Furthermore, sharing expertise within the e4ships cluster and other national and international projects remains a vital component of activities.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the authorities responsible for inland shipping in Germany, namely the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and the Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine (ZKR), alongside CESNI at European level, are currently creating the policy and regulatory framework required to license fuel cells in ships, including low flashpoint fuels (IGF Code for Low Flash Point Fuels) for all European ports and waterways. Further structures have to be put in place however in order to facilitate the unlimited use of fuel cells.