Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Top 10 Projects and Companies for Shipping and Maritime Application

Riding the Hydrogen Wave: How PEMFCs Are Powering a Maritime Revolution

Introduction

Imagine the vast expanse of the ocean, crisscrossed by the invisible highways of global trade. For centuries, the deep thrum of diesel engines has been the heartbeat of this network, powering the colossal ships that carry over 80% of the world’s goods. But this pulse comes at a cost, contributing significantly to global emissions. The International Maritime Organization has set an ambitious course for decarbonization, and the industry is now in a race to find a new, cleaner heartbeat. Enter the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). This is not a distant, theoretical solution; it’s happening now. From bustling coastal shuttles to new-age ferries, PEMFC technology is being installed on vessels, heralding a quiet, zero-emission revolution set to redefine the future of shipping.

Key PEMFC Installations Charting the Course for Green Shipping

The transition from concept to reality is marked by tangible projects. Across the globe, pioneering companies are collaborating to integrate powerful PEMFC systems into a new generation of marine vessels. These installations are not mere tests; they represent significant commercial and strategic commitments to hydrogen as a viable marine fuel. Here are ten landmark projects demonstrating the growing momentum of PEMFCs in the maritime sector.

1. Samskip Contracts Ballard, eCap Marine to Outfit Sea Shuttles with Fuel Cell Engines

Company: Ballard, eCap Marine, Samskip
Installation Capacity: 6.4 MW (32 FCwave engines)
Applications: Marine propulsion systems for Samskip’s sea shuttles.
Source: Samskip Brings Ballard, eCap on Deck to Supply Fuel Cells for …

2. TECO 2030 Offers Marine Fuel Cells

Company: TECO 2030
Installation Capacity: 1.2 MW (stackable units of 400 kW each)
Applications: Marine fuel cells for ships.
Source: The Hunt for Hydrogen – Professional BoatBuilder

3. Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine (GGZEM) and Cummins Incorporated PEMFCs

Company: Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine (GGZEM), Cummins Incorporated
Installation Capacity: 3 x 360 kW PEMFCs
Applications: Maritime
Source: Industrial Development Status and Prospects of the Marine Fuel Cell

4. Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology BV

Company: Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology BV
Installation Capacity: 2 kW PEMFC
Applications: Designed a coastal ship
Source: Industrial Development Status and Prospects of the Marine Fuel Cell

5. HDF Energy Mass-Producing Fuel Cells

Company: HDF Energy
Installation Capacity: Multi-MW
Applications: Maritime market
Source: Fuel cell | HDF | Game-changing hydrogen power

6. Ballard Power Systems Fuel Cell Modules

Company: Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: 45kW to 360kW
Applications: Transportation and power generation needs
Source: Ballard Power Systems

7. Advent Technologies and Siemens Energy Joint Development

Company: Advent Technologies, Siemens Energy
Installation Capacity: 500kW
Applications: Maritime applications
Source: Advent Technologies Signs Strategic Joint Development Agreement …

8. Switch Maritime and GGZEM Zero‐Emission Hydrogen Ferry Demonstration Project

Company: Switch Maritime, GGZEM
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Maritime applications
Source: Zero‐Emission Hydrogen Ferry Demonstration Project ‐ Final Report

9. PowerCell Sweden AB

Company: PowerCell Sweden AB
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Maritime applications
Source: Public final report: Inventory of the application of Fuel Cells in the …

10. Hyundai Heavy Industries and AVL

Company: Hyundai Heavy Industries and AVL
Installation Capacity: 200 kW to 1 MW
Applications: Fuel cells for ships
Source: The Fuel Cell Industry Review 2021 – ERM

Table: PEMFC Projects in Maritime Applications

Industry Adoption: From Niche Ferries to Mainstream Fleets

The diversity of these projects signals a critical shift in industry adoption. PEMFCs are no longer confined to small-scale demonstrations; they are being integrated into a variety of vessel types with distinct operational demands. We see applications ranging from powering ferries (GGZEM/Switch Maritime) and coastal ships (Nedstack) to providing multi-megawatt propulsion for entire fleets of sea shuttles (Samskip/Ballard). This breadth demonstrates the technology’s inherent flexibility. More importantly, the cast of characters involved—from specialized fuel cell pioneers like Ballard and PowerCell to industrial giants like Cummins, Siemens Energy, and shipbuilding leader Hyundai Heavy Industries—indicates that PEMFC adoption is a strategic priority across the value chain. Collaborations such as Advent/Siemens and Hyundai/AVL are crucial, merging fuel cell expertise with marine engineering prowess to create robust, sea-worthy solutions. This ecosystem approach is essential for de-risking the technology and accelerating its path to becoming a mainstream power source for ships.

Geography: A Global Tide Lifting All Boats

The push for maritime PEMFCs is a decidedly global affair, not dominated by a single nation. The installation data reveals a powerful nexus of innovation spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Europe shows remarkable depth, with companies from Norway (TECO 2030), the Netherlands (Nedstack), France (HDF Energy), Germany (Siemens Energy), and Sweden (PowerCell Sweden AB) all playing key roles. This reflects the continent’s strong maritime heritage and aggressive decarbonization targets. Simultaneously, North American fuel cell leaders like Ballard (Canada) and Advent Technologies (USA) are providing core technology, while U.S. projects like the GGZEM ferry drive practical implementation. Critically, the involvement of South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, is a powerful signal of mainstream readiness. This geographic distribution is a strategic advantage, creating a global network of expertise that combines European marine engineering, North American fuel cell innovation, and Asian shipbuilding scale, ensuring the technology can be adapted and deployed worldwide.

Tech Maturity: Scaling from Kilowatts to Megawatts

These projects reveal a technology rapidly advancing on the maturity curve. The range of installation capacities is a key indicator of this progression. At one end, Nedstack’s 2 kW design concept represents the foundational engineering for new vessel classes. At the other, Samskip’s massive 6.4 MW order from Ballard and HDF Energy’s move to mass-produce multi-MW systems show that PEMFCs are scaling to meet the power demands of commercial shipping. This is not just about size but also about standardization and modularity. TECO 2030’s stackable 400 kW units and Ballard’s portfolio of modules (45kW to 360kW) offer a “building block” approach. This allows ship designers to customize power solutions, whether for primary propulsion or auxiliary power, much like configuring a traditional engine room. The joint development agreement between Advent and Siemens to create a 500kW system further reinforces this trend toward creating standardized, high-capacity products ready for market. The transition from one-off demonstration projects like the GGZEM ferry to scalable, modular, and multi-megawatt commercial orders signifies that PEMFC technology is moving firmly from pilot phase to industrial-scale deployment.

Forward-Looking Insights: A Standardized, Collaborative, and Electric Future

The trajectory is clear: PEMFCs are becoming a cornerstone of maritime decarbonization. The current wave of installations signals a future defined by three key trends. First, modularity and standardization will accelerate adoption, allowing for easier integration into diverse ship designs and driving down costs through economies of scale, as exemplified by HDF Energy’s mass-production strategy. Second, strategic collaboration will remain paramount. The successful fusion of fuel cell specialists with marine engineering giants, as seen in the Hyundai/AVL and Advent/Siemens partnerships, will be the blueprint for turning technology into certified, reliable marine products. Finally, these projects are paving the way for larger and more powerful applications. As the industry gains operational experience with systems in the 1-6 MW range, confidence will grow to apply this technology to even larger vessels on longer, more demanding routes. The current installations are more than just data points; they are the lighthouses guiding the global shipping industry toward a sustainable, hydrogen-powered horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are PEMFCs and why are they considered a solution for the shipping industry?
A Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a technology that generates electricity from hydrogen, producing only water as a byproduct. It is considered a key solution for the maritime industry’s decarbonization efforts because it offers a quiet, zero-emission alternative to the traditional diesel engines that power over 80% of the world’s cargo ships and contribute significantly to global emissions.

Are these PEMFC projects just small-scale tests, or are they being used on real commercial vessels?
These projects represent significant commercial and strategic commitments, moving well beyond small-scale tests. For example, Ballard and eCap Marine are outfitting Samskip’s sea shuttles with 6.4 MW of power, and projects like the GGZEM/Switch Maritime ferry are actual operational vessels. The article highlights a clear shift from demonstration projects to industrial-scale deployment in a variety of vessels, including ferries, coastal ships, and sea shuttles.

Which companies are leading the charge in maritime PEMFCs?
A diverse group of companies is involved, indicating broad industry adoption. This includes specialized fuel cell pioneers like Ballard Power Systems, Nedstack, and PowerCell Sweden AB, as well as industrial giants like Cummins, Siemens Energy, and one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, Hyundai Heavy Industries. This collaboration between tech specialists and marine engineering leaders is crucial for developing robust, sea-worthy solutions.

Are PEMFCs powerful enough for large ships?
The technology is rapidly scaling to meet the power demands of commercial shipping. The projects listed show a wide range of capacities, from a 2 kW design concept by Nedstack to multi-megawatt systems. Samskip’s 6.4 MW order for its shuttles and HDF Energy’s plan to mass-produce multi-MW fuel cells demonstrate that the technology is reaching the power levels required for commercial propulsion. Companies are also using a modular, ‘building block’ approach, like TECO 2030’s 400 kW stackable units, to customize power for different vessel sizes.

Is the development of maritime fuel cells concentrated in one region?
No, the push for maritime PEMFCs is a global effort. The article highlights a strong innovation network across North America (Ballard, Advent Technologies, GGZEM), Europe (TECO 2030, Nedstack, Siemens Energy, HDF Energy), and Asia. The involvement of South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, a major shipbuilder, is particularly significant, showing that the trend combines European marine engineering, North American fuel cell technology, and Asian shipbuilding scale.