Top 10 SOFC & Ammonia Ship Projects: MOL Signs for 3 Bulkers, 300 k W Fuel Cells with Partners (2025-2026)

The maritime industry is executing a portfolio-based decarbonization strategy, avoiding a single bet on one future fuel by investing across a range of low- and zero-emission technologies. Analysis of commercial activity for 2025-2026 reveals that leading shipping lines are simultaneously ordering transitional LNG-powered vessels, placing firm contracts for ammonia and methanol newbuilds, and piloting high-efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). This is evidenced by significant contracts, such as Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ (MOL) order for ammonia-fueled bulkers and tankers, and the installation of a 300 k W SOFC system on a newbuild LNG carrier. The dominant theme is the shift from pilot projects to commercial-scale commitments, coupled with the crucial development of bunkering infrastructure, as seen with Petro China’s methanol license in Zhoushan and Norway’s state-backed plan for an ammonia network.

1. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) Ammonia-Powered Fleet Construction

Company: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Mitsui E&S, MAN Energy Solutions, Everllence
Capacity/Scale: 3 Capesize bulkers and 6 chemical tankers
Application: Ammonia dual-fuel internal combustion engines for newbuild fleet
Source: Everllence – Ammonia Energy Association

2. Eidesvik Offshore ‘Viking Energy’ Ammonia Fuel Retrofit

Company: Eidesvik Offshore, Wärtsilä
Capacity/Scale: Retrofit of the ‘Viking Energy’ Platform Supply Vessel (PSV)
Application: Conversion of an existing vessel to run on an ammonia fuel engine
Source: Wartsila – Ammonia Energy Association

3. Petro China’s Methanol Bunkering Hub in Zhoushan

Company: Petro China Fuel Oil Subsidiary
Capacity/Scale: First license for international methanol bunkering in Zhoushan FTZ
Application: Bunkering infrastructure for green and conventional methanol
Source: Petro China Fuel Oil Subsidiary Secures Zhoushan’s First Methanol …

4. MOL & Samsung Heavy Industries SOFC-Equipped LNG Carrier

Company: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), Bloom Energy
Capacity/Scale: 300 k W Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) on a 174, 000 m³ LNG carrier
Application: SOFC as an auxiliary power generator on a newbuild vessel
Source: Low-GHG Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to Be Installed on LNG Carrier

5. Everllence and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Retrofit Partnership

Company: Everllence, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry
Capacity/Scale: Fleet-wide collaboration framework agreement
Application: Scalable decarbonization retrofits for existing fleets, enabling use of ammonia and methanol
Source: [PDF] Most Innovative Companies in Maritime 2025 – Thetius

6. HD Hyundai, DNV, and TUI Cruises SOFC Development for Cruise Ships

Company: TUI Cruises, HD Hyundai, DNV
Capacity/Scale: Joint Development Project (JDP) for multi-megawatt scale SOFC systems
Application: Exploring SOFC installation for high-efficiency power on cruise ships
Source: [PDF] Most Innovative Companies in Maritime 2025 – Thetius

7. Norway’s National Ammonia Bunkering Network Initiative

Company: Enova (Norwegian state-owned agency)
Capacity/Scale: Initial funding for three ammonia bunkering stations
Application: Government-led development of essential bunkering infrastructure for ammonia
Source: Norway to build three ammonia bunkering stations and introduce …

8. Doosan Fuel Cell Marine SOFC Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Project

Company: Doosan Fuel Cell
Capacity/Scale: Development of a 600 k W (2 x 300 k W) SOFC system
Application: Fuel-flexible (LNG/ammonia) SOFC Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
Source: [PDF] Fuel Cell Technology in the European Union

9. MOL and Idemitsu Tanker LNG-Fueled VLCC Charter

Company: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Idemitsu Tanker
Capacity/Scale: One newbuild LNG dual-fuel Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)
Application: Long-term charter for a transitional lower-carbon fuel vessel
Source: Press Release 2025 | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

10. Yanmar Hydrogen Engine Production Plan

Company: Yanmar
Capacity/Scale: Formal production plan for hydrogen internal combustion engines
Application: Commercializing hydrogen-ICEs under a “Zero-Emission Ships Project”
Source: H 2.Archive Library References – Hydrogen Energy Research | OTSO

Table: Top 10 Low-Carbon Maritime Projects (2025-2026)

Portfolio Decarbonization: MOL’s Strategy with 9 Newbuilds

The diversity of these projects underscores a sophisticated “portfolio” approach to decarbonization rather than a singular technological bet. Leading operators like MOL exemplify this by investing across the spectrum: securing long-term charters for transitional LNG-fueled VLCCs, placing one of the world’s first major commercial orders for a fleet of nine ammonia-powered vessels, and simultaneously testing advanced SOFC technology for auxiliary power. This strategy hedges against uncertainty in future fuel pricing, availability, and technological maturity. The range of applications—from massive newbuilds (MOL) and strategic retrofits (Eidesvik Offshore) to modular auxiliary power units (Doosan Fuel Cell)—proves that the industry is integrating low-carbon solutions at every level of the vessel lifecycle, signaling a systemic and irreversible shift.

Vessel Orders Reveal Portfolio Decarbonization Strategy

This chart shows the mix of alternative fuels in the orderbook, visually representing the ‘portfolio’ approach to decarbonization that major operators like MOL are adopting.

(Source: ScienceDirect.com)

Asia & Europe Lead: Petro China and Norway Build Bunkering Hubs

Geographically, a bipolar leadership axis is forming between Asia and Europe, driven by strategic industrial policy and first-mover advantage. In Asia, China is solidifying its role as a key enabler of the energy transition. The licensing of Petro China to provide methanol bunkering in Zhoushan, the world’s largest bunkering port, is a landmark decision that provides critical supply certainty for the wave of methanol-fueled ships on order. This is complemented by the shipbuilding and retrofit expertise of yards like Samsung Heavy Industries and COSCO. In parallel, Europe, particularly Norway, is pioneering the ammonia pathway through public-private partnerships. The Enova-backed initiative to build three ammonia bunkering stations creates a foundational network, de-risking investments in ammonia-fueled vessels for regional shipping.

300 k W SOFC Pilots: MOL and TUI Cruises Test Fuel Cell Maturity

These projects reveal distinct tiers of technological maturity. LNG dual-fuel technology, as seen in the MOL and Idemitsu Tanker VLCC charter, is fully commercial and serves as the dominant transitional solution. Ammonia and methanol are rapidly moving from pilot to commercial scaling, evidenced by MOL’s multi-vessel ammonia order and the infrastructure build-out by Petro China. Meanwhile, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) represent the next frontier, currently in the advanced pilot stage. The 300 k W installation on MOL’s LNG carrier and the JDP involving TUI Cruises are not for primary propulsion but are critical for gathering operational data on efficiency, durability, and maintenance in harsh marine environments. This de-risks the technology for future multi-megawatt applications, while hydrogen internal combustion engines, per Yanmar’s production plan, are now on the cusp of commercial availability.

Navigating the Roadmap to Zero-Emission Maturity

This maturity model perfectly illustrates the ‘tiers of technological maturity’ discussed in the section, showing the progression of fuels and technologies from concept to market readiness.

(Source: Global Maritime Forum)

Ammonia Fuel Outlook: MOL’s 9 Vessel Orders Drive Market (2026-2029)

The most critical strategic action for shipowners in the coming years is to secure access to multi-fuel capable assets or viable retrofit pathways. The market is fragmenting, and early access to emerging “green corridors”—trade routes with available low-emission fuel—will offer a significant competitive advantage. Watch these signals closely:

• The move from single-ship pilots to multi-vessel fleet orders for ammonia, such as MOL’s commitment for nine ships with engines from MAN Energy Solutions, confirms commercial readiness is approaching for deployment between 2026 and 2029.
• Infrastructure projects are the primary catalyst. If Norway’s three ammonia bunkering stations and Petro China’s Zhoushan methanol hub become operational on schedule, they will trigger a second wave of vessel orders from operators who have been waiting for fuel availability signals.
• The industrialization of retrofits is a key trend to monitor. Frameworks like the one between Everllence and COSCO, combined with the technical success of the Viking Energy conversion, could make decarbonizing the existing fleet more economically viable than previously thought.
• The success of SOFC auxiliary power units from Doosan and the MOL/Bloom Energy project will be a leading indicator. If these 300-600 k W systems prove reliable and efficient, they will likely become a standard feature on newbuilds to meet tightening efficiency regulations, irrespective of the primary fuel chosen.

Ammonia Fuel Technology Nears Commercial Scaling

This roadmap details the state of ammonia fuel maturity, providing context for the section’s focus on the market’s shift from single-ship pilots to multi-vessel fleet orders.

(Source: Ammonia Energy Association)

The questions your competitors are already asking

This report covers one angle of maritime decarbonization commercial activity. The questions that matter most depend on your work.

• Which shipping lines are adopting ammonia and methanol newbuilds versus transitional LNG vessels?
• How do ammonia dual-fuel engines compare to high-efficiency SOFCs for powering newbuild commercial vessels?
• Are the ammonia projects from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Eidesvik Offshore progressing from pilot to commercial-scale deployment?

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

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