PEM Fuel Cell Maritime Adoption, 2 Møre Sjø Orders, 1 Lloyd’s Register Approval, and 11 Projects (2024 to 2026)

Maritime PEM Fuel Cell Projects, 2 Møre Sjø Vessels Signal Commercial Shift

The maritime industry’s adoption of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells is transitioning from small-scale pilots to commercially significant orders, driven by the need to comply with escalating emissions regulations like the EU Emissions Trading System. This shift is validated by the first commercial cargo vessel orders and critical third-party technology approvals, indicating that the technology is moving from feasibility testing to a viable solution for fleet decarbonization.

• Between 2021 and 2024, industry activity was characterized by small-scale, demonstrator ferry projects. A key example is the Sea Change vessel, which began operations in 2024 using a 360 k W fuel cell system, proving the technology’s basic viability in a controlled marine environment.
• The period from 2025 to today marks a clear inflection point towards commercial scale. In October 2025, Norway’s Møre Sjø placed a landmark order to build two zero-emission cargo vessels, each equipped with 1.5 MW of hydrogen fuel cell power. This moves the application from short-range passenger transit to logistics and cargo.
• This commercial momentum is supported by critical regulatory validation. In June 2025, Power Cell Sweden AB received Lloyd’s Register approval for its Marine System 200, a crucial step that de-risks the technology for shipowners and financiers by certifying its safety and performance for marine use.
• Ferry operators continue to be active adopters, with Stena Line investigating the technology and MAN Energy Solutions securing a contract in June 2024 to supply fuel cell systems for two new hydrogen-powered ferries in Denmark, reinforcing the technology’s role in the short-sea shipping segment.

$7 B in Public Funding, US Hydrogen Hubs Underpin Marine Fuel Supply

Capital is flowing into the hydrogen ecosystem at two distinct levels, with massive public investment creating the upstream production capacity and targeted corporate funding scaling the downstream manufacturing required to make maritime adoption feasible. Without this dual-track investment, the high cost of both the fuel and the onboard technology would remain a prohibitive barrier for ship operators.

• Upstream supply is being addressed through massive government programs. The U.S. Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, backed by nearly $7 billion in federal funding, is designed to build out the foundational production capacity essential for supplying future maritime fuel demand.
• Downstream technology costs are being tackled through manufacturing scale-up investments. The U.S. Department of Energy selected 16 projects in FY 2024 with $540 million in funding to enable 14 GW of annual fuel cell manufacturing capacity, which is critical for reducing per-unit costs.
• The maritime industry itself is now investing directly into the technology supply chain. In March 2025, Power to Hydrogen secured over $20 million in a Series A round that included strategic investments from shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) to scale its AEM electrolyzer manufacturing, showing a clear intent to control and accelerate the supply of sustainable fuels.

Table: Strategic Investments in the Maritime Hydrogen Ecosystem

Hydrogen Supply Chain Partnerships, 1 Daimler Truck and Kawasaki Deal

For a chemical tanker operator, securing a supply of fuel cell modules is only the first step; the greater challenge lies in assembling a complex ecosystem of partners to ensure fuel availability, port infrastructure, and vessel integration. Recent alliances show a clear trend towards collaborative, cross-industry efforts to build out the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to bunkering.

• A critical partnership model for port infrastructure was launched in October 2025. Daimler Truck, port operator HHLA, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries formed a strategic alliance to establish a green liquid hydrogen (LH 2) supply chain via the Port of Hamburg, demonstrating the multi-stakeholder model required for bunkering.
• To address the need for larger, more powerful systems, technology providers are collaborating. In December 2025, HDF Energy and ABB Marine & Ports partnered to commercialize a scalable maritime fuel cell system of 1 MW and above, a key enabler for larger vessels beyond the ferry segment.
• The model for securing fuel is being established in adjacent alternative fuel markets. In March 2026, Equinor entered a two-year bio-methanol supply agreement with shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen, providing a template for the long-term offtake agreements that will be necessary for green hydrogen.

Table: Key Partnerships in Maritime Hydrogen Development

Europe Leads Maritime Hydrogen, 2 Norwegian Projects and 1 German Port Hub

Europe, led by proactive efforts in Scandinavia and Germany, has established itself as the global center for the development and deployment of maritime hydrogen solutions. This leadership is a direct result of strong government policy, targeted funding, and the concentration of established maritime technology clusters willing to pioneer first-of-a-kind projects.

• Norway is the clear frontrunner in vessel deployment. The country is home to the Møre Sjø cargo vessel project and a series of advanced hydrogen ferry initiatives, including those on the Lofoten route. This is driven by national goals for zero-emission fjords and a robust maritime support ecosystem.
• Germany is focusing on creating critical infrastructure hubs. The Port of Hamburg’s partnership to build a liquid hydrogen supply chain is a strategic effort to become a premier bunkering location for Northern Europe, attracting future hydrogen-powered shipping traffic.
• Southern European ports are building out the production backbone. In Portugal, Plug Power delivered the first electrolyzer for a 100 MW green hydrogen project at Galp‘s Sines Refinery in October 2025, demonstrating the build-out of production capacity in key Atlantic logistics hubs.
• In comparison, the United States is focused on building foundational production capacity through its $7 billion Hydrogen Hubs program but lags Europe in the deployment of hydrogen-powered vessels and dedicated marine bunkering infrastructure.

PEM Fuel Cell Maturity, 1 Lloyd’s Register Approval Validates Marine Use

While upstream hydrogen production is a mature technology, the large-scale, multi-megawatt PEM fuel cell systems required for commercial vessels are just now reaching commercial maturity, moving from pilot-stage risk to class-approved, bankable technology. This shift dramatically lowers the adoption barrier for shipowners by providing a clear, third-party-validated pathway for one of the most critical components in the zero-emission powertrain.

• The most significant validation event occurred in June 2025, when Power Cell Sweden AB’s Marine System 200 received Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register. This certification confirms the system’s safety and reliability for marine environments, elevating its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to 8 (commercial) for this specific application.
• Before 2024, marine fuel cells were largely in the demonstration phase (TRL 6-7), exemplified by small, sub-500 k W systems on ferries. The primary challenge was proving long-term durability and scaling power output to the megawatt class required for commercial shipping.
• Leading operators like MSC Group are now actively piloting systems, including a 150 k W pilot with Bloom Energy, and plan to install multi-megawatt Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems from Fincantieri, indicating that large players are moving toward deploying the technology. While SOFCs offer fuel flexibility, they are generally at a lower TRL (5-7) for marine use than PEMFCs.
• Companies like Hanwha are also developing fuel cell systems for ships, contributing to a growing supplier market that provides operators with more options and drives down costs through competition. This maturation of the supply base is a key indicator of the technology’s readiness for wider adoption.

SWOT Analysis for Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell Adoption

The strategic case for adopting hydrogen fuel cells in maritime is strengthening due to regulatory pressure and technology maturation, but successful implementation is contingent on solving significant external weaknesses in infrastructure and navigating threats from macroeconomic volatility.

Table: SWOT Analysis for Maritime PEM Fuel Cell Adoption

Chemgas 2026 Outlook, Hydrogen Fleet Depends on Infrastructure FIDs

For an operator considering a hydrogen-powered fleet, the success of a strategy initiated in 2026 will be determined less by the performance of the onboard fuel cell technology and more by the successful and timely execution of large-scale, land-based hydrogen production and port infrastructure projects.

• If this happens: If major green hydrogen production hubs and port liquefaction projects, such as the LH 2 supply chain at the Port of Hamburg, secure Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) within the next 18 months.
• Watch this: A second wave of commercial orders for hydrogen-powered vessels, likely expanding beyond the current European focus to include key trade routes in Asia and North America.
• These could be happening: Shipping operators may begin to form joint ventures to co-invest in and secure access to bunkering facilities, and the first long-term offtake agreements for green hydrogen specifically for the marine sector will be signed, ensuring fuel price stability.

The questions your competitors are already asking

This report covers one angle of PEM fuel cell commercialization in the maritime sector. The questions that matter most depend on your work.

• What is actually happening with Chemgas Shipping’s fleet preparation since its fuel cell supply agreement was signed?
• Which other chemical tanker operators are adopting hydrogen fuel cell solutions?
• What is the outlook for megawatt-scale PEM fuel cell deployment in the chemical tanker sector by 2030?
• How do PEM fuel cells compare to ammonia or methanol engines for chemical tanker decarbonization?

This report does not answer these. Enki Brief Pro does.

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