PEM Fuel Cell Maritime Orders, Ballard’s 6.4 MW Samskip Deal, 80, 000-Hour Mi Na Mi Project, and 10+ Projects (2021 to 2026)

PEM Fuel Cell Projects, Maritime Adoption Shifts from Pilots to Megawatt-Scale Commercial Orders

The adoption of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells in the maritime industry is accelerating, transitioning from a phase of small-scale, sub-megawatt pilot projects between 2021 and 2024 to a new era defined by multi-megawatt commercial orders and industrialization-focused initiatives from 2025 onwards. This shift signals that the technology has moved past basic feasibility demonstrations and is now addressing the critical commercial challenges of scale, durability, and total cost of ownership required for widespread fleet adoption.

The Pilot Era (2021-2024): Sub-Megawatt Demonstrations

Between 2021 and 2024, the primary focus was on proving the viability of PEM fuel cells in a marine environment through a series of groundbreaking but small-scale demonstration projects. These initiatives were crucial for establishing safety protocols, gaining regulatory approvals, and generating initial operational data. The projects were characterized by power systems typically under 1 MW and were often limited to single vessels operating on fixed, short-distance routes where hydrogen refueling could be managed. The success of these early demonstrators built the technical foundation and market confidence necessary for the next phase of commercialization.

• The ‘Sea Change’ ferry in the United States, part of the Scallop project, began operations powered by a 360 k W PEM fuel cell system from Cummins, making it the first commercial hydrogen fuel cell ferry in the U.S.
• Future Proof Shipping’s FPS Maas inland container ship was retrofitted with a 1.2 MW PEM system from Ballard Power Systems, representing one of the larger systems of the period and demonstrating feasibility for inland shipping.
• The EU-funded Hy Seas III project developed a design for a ferry in Scotland’s Orkney Islands incorporating a 700 k W fuel cell system, highlighting the focus on developing solutions for the vital European ferry market.

The Commercial Era (2025-Present): Multi-Megawatt Orders

Beginning in 2025, the market entered a distinct new phase marked by the first significant commercial orders for multi-megawatt PEM fuel cell systems. These projects are not just demonstrations but represent real commercial deployments intended for regular cargo and passenger service. The focus has shifted decisively towards industrialization, cost reduction through scale, and achieving the extreme durability needed to compete with traditional marine engines. The scale of these new projects, often exceeding 3 MW per vessel, reflects growing shipowner confidence and a strategic commitment by technology providers to scale up manufacturing.

• In July 2025, Ballard Power Systems announced one of the largest commercial orders to date: a 6.4 MW system for two Samskip container vessels, each powered by a 3.2 MW fuel cell installation. This order signals a clear move towards using PEM fuel cells for main propulsion on short-sea cargo ships.
• The European Union launched the Mi Na Mi (Million Nautical Mile Fuel Cell System) project with €15 million in funding. Coordinated by Power Cell Sweden AB, its primary goal is to develop a new generation of PEM fuel cell stacks with an unprecedented operational lifetime of 80, 000 hours, directly addressing the durability requirements of the shipping industry.
• The Sea Shuttle project in Norway, backed by €15 million from Enova, will equip two short-sea container ships with 3.2 MW fuel cell systems from TECO 2030, further cementing the multi-megawatt scale as the new standard for newbuilds in the segment. These projects are a clear signal that the maritime fuel cell market is at a commercial tipping point.

PEMFC Market Set for 600%+ Growth by 2033
The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell market is projected to skyrocket from approximately $3.9 billion in 2023 to $27.2 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate exceeding 21%. Automotive applications will remain dominant, but Power Conversion is poised for significant expansion, indicating broader industrial adoption.

(Source: GRAND VIEW RESEARCH — via Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Market Report, 2026-2033)

€27.5 M EU Funding, Mi Na Mi and MARINER Projects Signal Industrialization Focus

Public funding, primarily from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, has become the central catalyst for advancing maritime PEM fuel cell technology beyond the pilot stage. This strategic capital is no longer focused on simply proving that fuel cells can work on a ship; instead, it is targeted at solving the core industrial challenges of durability, scalability, and manufacturing cost that are critical for commercial adoption. The structure of these grants indicates a clear strategy to de-risk the technology for private investment and accelerate the development of a European supply chain.

Table: Key EU-Funded Maritime PEM Fuel Cell Projects (2025-2026)

PEM Fuel Cell Partnerships, Ballard, Power Cell, and ABB Drive Maritime Integration

The evolution of partnerships in the maritime fuel cell space mirrors the technology’s maturation, shifting from early-stage R&D collaborations (2021-2024) to the formation of strategic alliances focused on commercial execution and industrial-scale delivery (2025+). These modern partnerships bring together fuel cell manufacturers, ship integrators, naval architects, and end-users to tackle the entire value chain, from component manufacturing to vessel operation, signaling a move towards creating complete, market-ready solutions.

Table: Notable Maritime PEM Fuel Cell Partnerships and Projects

European Dominance, Norway and EU Initiatives Lead PEM Fuel Cell Maritime Adoption

Europe, driven by aggressive decarbonization targets and substantial public funding, has solidified its position as the undisputed global leader in the development and deployment of maritime PEM fuel cells. This leadership is concentrated in Northern Europe, where a combination of government-led initiatives in countries like Norway and pan-European R&D programs creates a powerful ecosystem for innovation, from component development to full-scale vessel deployment.

• Norway has emerged as a key market through its “green shipping corridor” strategy and strong government support via entities like Enova. Landmark projects such as Sea Shuttle (3.2 MW) and MS Topeka (3 MW) are not just demonstrations but are part of a national strategy to build a commercially viable hydrogen-powered shipping network along its coast.
• The European Union provides the strategic financial backbone through programs like Horizon Europe. Initiatives like Mi Na Mi (€15 M), MARINER (€12.5 M), and H 2 MARINE (€4 M) are funneling significant capital into European companies and research institutes, ensuring the region’s technology providers like Power Cell and Genevos maintain a competitive edge.
• While Europe leads, other regions are making progress. The United States has seen the launch of the ‘Sea Change’ ferry in San Francisco, a significant milestone for US maritime fuel cell adoption, though its 360 k W system is an order of magnitude smaller than the latest European projects. In Asia, South Korean companies like Vinssen are active, particularly in developing ammonia-based fuel cell systems.

PEM Fuel Cell Materials Market Surges to $8B by 2034
The materials market for PEM fuel cells in transportation applications is projected to exceed US$8 billion by 2034, indicating a robust growth trajectory. Key components like Bipolar Plates (BPP) and Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCM) are set to dominate the market share by component in 2034.

(Source: PEM Fuel Cell Materials Market Growth Driven by Transportation Sector | IDTechEx Research Article)

PEM Fuel Cell Technology, From Feasibility to a Focus on 80, 000-Hour Durability

The technical focus for maritime PEM fuel cells has fundamentally shifted from proving basic operational feasibility to a new, more demanding competitive landscape centered on achieving extreme durability, managing different fuel pathways, and scaling to multi-megawatt outputs. The market conversation is no longer about *if* a fuel cell can power a ship, but how to make it last as long as a diesel engine at a competitive total cost of ownership. This reflects the technology’s growing maturity and the industry’s move toward solving real-world commercial challenges for broader emerging fuel cell applications.

• The debate between direct hydrogen and reformed methanol is a key strategic consideration. Direct hydrogen offers a true zero-emission pathway but faces immense storage and infrastructure hurdles. Methanol reforming, used by companies like e 1 Marine, offers a pragmatic bridge solution by using an easier-to-handle liquid fuel, though it is less efficient and produces CO 2 during the reforming process.
• The Mi Na Mi project’s explicit goal of achieving an 80, 000-hour operational lifetime for a PEM fuel cell stack is a clear industry benchmark. This target, equivalent to nearly a decade of continuous operation, directly addresses shipowner concerns about durability and maintenance cycles, aiming to align fuel cell performance with traditional marine engine expectations.
• While PEMFC is the dominant technology in current projects, high-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are a credible long-term competitor. SOFCs offer higher electrical efficiency and greater fuel flexibility, capable of using fuels like ammonia and natural gas directly. The EU’s funding of the HELENUS project to develop an SOFC system for shipping indicates that the technology race for future maritime power is far from over, with different maritime SOFC applications being actively explored.

SWOT Analysis, PEM Fuel Cell Maritime Opportunities and Infrastructure Risks

PEM fuel cells present a clear technological pathway for maritime decarbonization, with strengths in zero-emission operation and proven scalability. However, their commercial trajectory is directly exposed to significant external risks, primarily the lack of global hydrogen infrastructure and high upfront costs. This dynamic creates a critical window of opportunity for companies that can deliver durable, industrialized systems while the market infrastructure is being built.

Table: SWOT Analysis for Maritime PEM Fuel Cell Adoption

Ballard’s Samskip Delivery, A Critical 2026 Milestone for PEM Fuel Cell Maritime Adoption

The successful delivery and operational startup of the 6.4 MW Ballard fuel cell systems on the Samskip container vessels in 2026 will serve as the most significant commercial validation for the maritime PEM fuel cell industry to date. If this deployment meets performance, reliability, and cost expectations, it will provide a powerful proof point that megawatt-scale hydrogen propulsion is a commercially viable reality, likely triggering a new wave of orders from other shipowners. Conversely, any significant delays, cost overruns, or performance issues with this high-profile project could temper market enthusiasm and slow the pace of adoption.

• If this happens: The Samskip vessels enter service on schedule in 2026 and demonstrate reliable performance in their first year of operation.
• Watch this: Monitor announcements from Ballard, Samskip, and integrator e Cap Marine regarding project milestones, including factory acceptance tests, vessel integration, and sea trials throughout 2025 and 2026.
• These could be happening: Other short-sea shipping operators, particularly in Europe, will likely accelerate their own fleet renewal plans and enter into negotiations with fuel cell providers. Expect to see new multi-megawatt orders and partnership announcements in the 2026-2027 timeframe if the Samskip deployment is successful.

The questions your competitors are already asking

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

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