PowerCell to deliver fuel cell systems for two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers

October 2 ------ Swedish hydrogen fuel cell provider PowerCell has secured a contract to supply fuel cell systems for two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers being built by Norwegian shipping company GMI Rederi. As disclosed, the contract is valued at just over SEK 40 million ($4.2 million) and includes 14 Marine System 225 units as well as engineering services. Deliveries are scheduled for 2026/2027.

At 85 meters long, with a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tons, the vessels are expected to be the “first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers in the world” when launched in early 2027.

It is understood that GMI Rederi is developing the vessels, while the engineering, integration, and certification process for the hydrogen system will be handled by eCap Marine, a German ship integrator specializing in green propulsion solutions. Reportedly, the project has received support from the Norwegian government’s Enova fund and the NOx fund, and is part of the Green Shipping Program, a public–private collaboration aimed at accelerating green maritime innovation.

Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell, stated: “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. Regulatory frameworks such as ETS trading 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.”

Torstein Holsvik, CEO at GMI Rederi, commented: “Existing bulk carriers are outdated, and we needed to think completely anew. After careful evaluation of technology maturity, fuel availability, and cost-effectiveness, we chose compressed hydrogen with fuel cells as the most future-ready solution.”

To note, Marine System 225 is said to be designed to provide 225 kW of “clean and vibration-free” power. According to PowerCell, it is “modular, compact, and easily integrated into both retrofitted and newly built vessels.” Earlier in 2025, the company received type approval from UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register for the system, securing the green light for its deployment across a wide range of vessels.

Source: offshore-energy.biz