Ballard Power Systems has secured a significant order from Hamburg-based eCap Marine for 32 FCwave fuel cell engines to power two hydrogen-fuelled container ships operated by logistics firm Samskip, the Canadian company said this week.
The 6.4 megawatt (MW) order will supply 32 FCwave-200 kilowatt (kW) modules for installation across two 135-metre vessels. Each vessel will be equipped with a 3.2 MW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, supported by diesel generators for auxiliary use. The ships are expected to operate on a zero-emission route between Norway and the Netherlands.
Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin before the end of 2024, with the full rollout planned across 2025 and 2026. The fuel cell engines will be integrated into the marine propulsion systems by eCap Marine.
“This represents one of the largest marine fuel cell engine orders in history,” said Marty Neese, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems. “Deploying our fuel cell engines on these two Samskip vessels provides a critical validation point for the use of PEM fuel cell propulsion for maritime applications.”
Ballard’s FCwave module is the world’s first DNV type-approved fuel cell system for marine use, ensuring that it complies with international maritime safety and design regulations.
Lars Ravens, Managing Director of eCap Marine, said: “Our continued collaboration with Ballard is central to our mission to decarbonise marine transport. This latest order exemplifies our shared commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.”
The order is supported by Norway’s state-owned agency ENOVA, which funds energy and climate-related innovations in the maritime sector.
Samskip aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and anticipates that each hydrogen-powered ship could reduce carbon emissions by 25,000 tonnes annually, assuming the use of renewable hydrogen and clean shore power at ports.