Fuel cells on course for clean, resilient port power

Ports under pressure

Ports play a vital role in the global supply chain, but they are also hotspots for emissions. Ships at berth continue to rely on auxiliary engines running on fossil fuels, emitting dangerous local pollutants and greenhouse gases in densely populated coastal areas.

Household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237 000 deaths of children under the age of 5 (source: WHO). Research around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach shows increased rates of asthma among nearby residents, particularly children, compared to national averages (USC Children’s Health Study). 

Within the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulations, it will soon be mandatory for container and passenger ships equal to or greater than 5,000 gross tonnage to use shore power while docked in major ports. However, this isn’t just a European concern. From the U.S. to Southeast Asia, public pressure and political mandates are converging on the same message, that emissions at berth must stop.

Yet the reality is more complex. Shore power infrastructure is inconsistent. Grid electricity is often still fossil-based. And port grid upgrades take years to materialise, time many operators no longer have.

“Ports around the world are now being compelled to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuel-based operations. Upcoming regulations are not only a legal requirement but a societal mandate to protect public health and address the climate emergency.”

– Victor Åkerlund, Chief Analytics and Sustainability Officer at PowerCell Group

Gridlocked infrastructure

When multiple ships connect to shore power simultaneously, most port grids simply can’t keep up. Expanding capacity takes time, investment, and cooperation from a wide range of stakeholders.

There are also spatial limitations to consider. In many ports, there simply isn’t enough room to build new transformer stations or install additional infrastructure without disrupting existing operations or logistics zones.

Even then, resilience is far from guaranteed. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, are becoming more frequent and often lead to blackouts that disrupt port operations and supply chains.

Therefore, ports not only require more electricity. They need smarter, cleaner, and more adaptable energy solutions.

Fuel cells: on & off the grid

Hydrogen fuel cells provide a viable solution. By generating clean electricity independently, containerised fuel cells can be deployed directly at ports.

They entirely avoid reliance on the grid or can support it during peak loads and power outages. This adds a valuable layer of energy resilience.

Modular fuel cell systems can be scaled up to megawatt systems and used across a range of applications, including onshore port connections and onboard marine systems.

Whether powered by green hydrogen or renewable methanol, fuel cells produce zero greenhouse gases and no NOx, SOx or particulate matter.

“Fuel cells allow ports to solve infrastructure limitations by providing scalable, zero-emission power without the grid. Our power generation solutions are designed for resilience, enabling ports to meet regulatory demands and improve air quality simultaneously.”

– Dr. Andreas Bodén, Chief Technology Officer at PowerCell Group

Health, climate and community benefits

According to the International Transport Forum (ITF) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 230 million people are directly exposed to shipping emissions at the world’s top 100 ports (source: Shipping Emissions in Ports). In the United States alone, 39 million people live near ports.

These emissions include nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, particulate matter and black carbon, all of which contribute to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and environmental degradation.

Combined exposure to ambient and household air pollution is associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the serious nature of air pollution’s health risks.

Fuel cells do not produce local pollutants and emissions at the point of use, delivering cleaner air and healthier communities, especially in cities with heavy cruise traffic.

A technology ready to scale

Fuel cells aren’t just a future idea. Last year, we partnered with Hitachi Energy, Skanska, Port of Gothenburg, and Linde Gas for a demonstration of HyFlex™ (read the full story), in which the containerised hydrogen fuel cell system provided off-grid power at a construction site in the harbour.

HyFlex™ (learn more here) is well-suited to port environments, for example, powering off-grid harbour machinery or supporting on-grid shore-to-ship connections. The fuel cell solution is scalable, resilient, and emission-free. It offers a mature technology platform ready to support environmental compliance and clean energy transition.

The sustainable port is here

Ports are at a crossroads. The choice is not whether to act, but how. With fuel cell solutions, ports can comply with regulations, reduce emissions, and enhance energy resilience.

Leading ports such as Rotterdam and Los Angeles have already begun major initiatives to integrate clean energy solutions and shore power systems, setting important examples for others to follow.

Projects like the Port of Rotterdam’s HyTransPort.RTM project and the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) highlight how ambitious strategies can successfully drive emissions reductions and energy innovation at a large scale.

The future of sustainable port power has arrived, and we are ready to lead the way.

Ready to pioneer port power?

If you’re looking to take the lead in the transition to clean, scalable shore power, we are here to help.

Contact us today to explore how our fuel cell solutions can support your journey toward sustainable port operations.