Fuel cell specialist PowerCell has secured a contract to supply the fuel cell systems for two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers. The order includes 14 of the company’s Marine System 225 units, providing over 3MW of power. Deliveries are scheduled for 2026-2027.
Each of the two bulk carrier vessels will be fitted with seven Marine System 225 units, enabling them to operate entirely without emissions by replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen. When launched in 2027, the vessels will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers. The Marine System 225 has received type approval from Lloyd’s Register.
GMI Rederi is developing the vessels, and the engineering, integration and certification process for the hydrogen system will be handled by German ship integrator eCap Marine. PowerCell will also provide engineering support.
“This project shows just how far the Marine System 225 has come in proving itself as a reliable and competitive solution across shipping segments,” said Stig Kallestad, marine director at PowerCell Group. “Bulk carriers are demanding applications, and the fact that our technology is chosen here demonstrates that hydrogen fuel cells are no longer just pilots, they are real solutions for real operations.”
“Existing bulk carriers are outdated, and we needed to think completely anew,” added Torstein Holsvik, CEO at GMI Rederi. “After careful evaluation of technology maturity, fuel availability and cost-effectiveness, we chose compressed hydrogen with fuel cells as the most future-ready solution.”
“We continue to expand the use of our Marine System 225, and with GMI Rederi we are now moving into bulk carriers, a new and important segment in shipping,” said Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group. “Regulatory frameworks such as the EU ETS and IMO requirements are pushing the break-even point in favor of hydrogen fuel cells, making them a competitive and future-ready choice for operators. This is not only about two ships; it is about setting a new standard for zero-emission maritime transport.”
In related news, Green Navy and Seco Marine sign partnership to develop electro-hydrogen propulsion systems