Padmini Mellacheruvu leads Hydrogen Ship Rules

Padmini Mellacheruvu, hailing from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and educated at BITS Pilani, was formerly engaged in cryogenic rocket systems at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After her tenure at ISRO, she transitioned to London-based Lloyd?s Register, one of the oldest and premier global ship classification societies. Notably, Padmini played a pivotal role in formulating the world's inaugural 'class rules' for hydrogen-powered ships, addressing the imperative for the maritime industry to align with the International Maritime Organisation's decarbonisation goals, aiming to adhere to the 1.5?C temperature-warming limit outlined in the Paris Agreement. Hydrogen fuelled ships are emerging as a key solution for the global shipping industry, which contributes approximately 3% of the world's carbon emissions. Fleet owners worldwide are exploring alternative fuels like methanol and hydrogen to align with the growing emphasis on green energy. Lloyd?s Register, founded in 1760, demonstrated an innovative approach by hiring Padmini to lead the development of 'class rules' for hydrogen-powered vessels. Mark Darley, the Chief Operating Officer at Lloyd?s Register, highlighted the changing landscape of the maritime industry, emphasising the need for expertise beyond traditional backgrounds. Padmini, designated as the 'Lead Specialist for Cryogenic and Compressed Gas Fuels,' faced a challenging decision to leave her dream and lifetime job at ISRO. However, the allure of contributing to Lloyd?s Register's groundbreaking initiatives in renewable energies and the hydrogen economy persuaded her to make the transition. Despite initial difficulties in adapting to new terminology and rule-writing practices, Padmini successfully collaborated with a diverse team to accomplish the task. Her interest in cryogenics played a pivotal role in securing the position at Lloyd?s Register, where she recognised the potential of leveraging her extensive experience from the space industry to pioneer applications in the emerging hydrogen industry. Padmini sees her role as contributing to the marine industry's growth in renewable energy, addressing the urgent need for transitioning to green energies and reducing carbon emissions. Padmini is motivated by the ongoing innovation challenges in the industry, particularly in the adoption of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. With various sectors, including automotive, aviation, and marine, exploring hydrogen applications, she envisions significant advancements and is excited to contribute to these innovations through her role at Lloyd?s Register.