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54 min ago 2 min read
Swedish fuel cell firm PowerCell has been contracted to supply systems that will power two Norwegian-funded liquid hydrogen cargo ships.
The SEK 50m ($5.2m) contract will see PowerCell supply 4MW-worth of its 225kW marine fuel cell units to start-up , which recently secured NOK 344.4m ($34.8m) in funding from Norway’s state-owned climate investor to develop two vessels.
The 7,700-dwt cargo ships are being designed for shortsea operations in the North Sea and will use liquid hydrogen in fuel cells for their primary propulsion.
PowerCell expects to complete delivering the fuel cells by 2028, in line with LH2 Shipping’s plans to deliver the ships for operations in 2029.
Hydrogen’s role in cleaning up shipping has become less clear in recent years, with many smaller coastal vessels opting for battery power, and larger ships looking toward hydrogen derivatives like ammonia or e-methanol.
However, PowerCell Commercial Director Stig Kallestad said the order showed that hydrogen fuel cells were increasingly being considered for “larger and more demanding” maritime applications.
“Investments in hydrogen infrastructure, vessel development and regulatory frameworks are beginning to translate into real projects and real vessels,” PowerCell CEO Richard Berkling added.
It adds to the modest tally of maritime orders received by PowerCell, including what is set to be the hydrogen-powered cruise ship.
The firm also recently to supply fuel cells for a methanol-to-hydrogen-to-power system for a large yacht.
