Fuel cells on course for clean, resilient port power
Power Generation
5 minute read
The maritime industry is at a pivotal moment in its journey towards decarbonisation. With draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI approved by the IMO placing a price on emissions and ambitious net-zero targets on the horizon, shipping companies face an urgent question:
How can vessels realistically transition from traditional fuels to cleaner energy sources without disrupting operations?
Recent industry investments in our methanol-to-power solution M2Power 250, clearly signal growing confidence in renewable methanol as the logical next step. But what makes that such an appealing choice, and how exactly does it benefit both shipowners and the environment?
Shipping contributes about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, roughly equal to Germany’s total emissions, and pressure is mounting to address this urgently.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has responded decisively, recently proposing a groundbreaking framework combining mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing.
This ambitious plan aims for net-zero emissions from international shipping close to 2050, mandating a global fuel standard and economic measures for emissions control.
Hydrogen is widely recognised as the cornerstone molecule for the future of clean maritime energy. When used, it produces zero harmful emissions, making it ideal for meeting stringent IMO targets. Although hydrogen offers tremendous potential, its widespread adoption at scale still faces infrastructure and availability challenges.
To overcome the limitations of direct hydrogen use, methanol has emerged as an ideal partner, providing a practical stepping stone, enabling the shipping industry to embrace hydrogen-based technology today.
Methanol functions exceptionally well as a hydrogen carrier, being liquid at ambient temperatures and pressure, making storing, transporting and handling onboard ships significantly easier. This convenience dramatically reduces infrastructure complexity and cost, allowing faster scalability and adoption in the shipping sector.
It can also be sustainably produced by combining green hydrogen and captured CO2, providing a net-zero emissions lifecycle. By serving as a practical carrier of hydrogen, methanol unlocks the potential of hydrogen fuel cells onboard ships, offering a realistic and immediate pathway for ship operators aiming to achieve ambitious decarbonisation goals.
Maritime Partners HydrogenOne
Read blog post: Maritime’s First Methanol-to-Fuel Cell Power Chain
Fuel cells using methanol reformer technology produce clean electricity onboard without generating harmful local pollutants such as sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulate matter. When powered by renewable methanol, they also deliver up to a 95% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional marine fuels. This combination offers a powerful pathway to protect human health, improve air quality, and meet strict environmental standards.
The local environmental benefits are immediate and substantial, particularly in densely populated port areas and coastal communities, where air quality impacts human health and biodiversity. By adopting a methanol-to-power solution, shipping companies can actively contribute to healthier communities, cleaner air, and clearer waters, directly aligning their operational decisions with global sustainability goals.
“Fuel cells using methanol reformer technology represent a major step forward in clean energy. They can reduce local emissions compared to internal combustion engines by completely eliminating harmful pollutants like SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. This not only improves air quality but also helps meet increasingly stringent environmental standards.”
– Richard Berkling, CEO at PowerCell Group
Richard Berkling
Efficiency is critical in a future where renewable fuels remain scarce and expensive. Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells equipped with methanol reformers offer a compelling solution, delivering approximately 30% higher efficiency than traditional internal combustion engines (ICE).
For instance, a typical shipping fleet transitioning entirely to methanol ICE would require significantly more green methanol annually compared to using methanol-powered PEM fuel cells. By opting for the fuel cell approach, fleets can substantially lower their fuel requirements, translating directly into cost savings and environmental advantages.
Fuel cell technology thus makes every drop of green methanol count, dramatically reducing operating expenses and significantly enhancing sustainability.
“By integrating methanol reforming with our fuel cell systems, we enable efficient onboard hydrogen production — without relying on pure hydrogen infrastructure. This gives shipowners a scalable, low-emission solution that outperforms internal combustion engines and is available now, making it a meaningful step toward sustainable maritime operations.”
– Dr. Andreas Bodén, Chief Technology Officer at PowerCell Group
Dr. Andreas Bodén
PowerCell is dedicated to providing practical solutions that help the maritime industry achieve sustainability and compliance with future environmental regulations. We proudly offer the innovative M2Power 250 methanol-to-power solution, specifically designed for maritime applications.
This advanced system seamlessly combines methanol reforming and fuel cell technology, generating clean hydrogen onboard vessels. Delivering 250 kW of efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly electricity, M2Power 250 directly replaces traditional marine power generation solutions, ensuring a smooth transition to sustainable maritime operations.
Learn more about how the M2Power 250 can transform your vessel and set your operations on a clear path to net zero here.
As we’ve explored, methanol-powered fuel cells offer not just a practical bridge but a clear roadmap to sustainable maritime operations. They efficiently turn methanol into clean hydrogen onboard, significantly cutting emissions and costs, while paving the way for future hydrogen adoption.
The shipping industry now stands at a crossroads, and the choice is clear: embrace adaptable, innovative solutions like our M2Power 250 to not only comply with new IMO targets, but to take the lead in the transition towards sustainability.
The future of clean shipping is not just possible – it’s already here.
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