Ballard Power Systems has secured a major marine contract to supply 32 FCwave™-200 kW fuel cell engines—amounting to 6.4 MW—to eCap Marine GmbH for integration into two zero-emission vessels operated by Samskip, one of Europe’s leading multimodal logistics providers.
This move marks one of the largest marine fuel cell engine orders in history and reinforces Ballard’s leadership in clean marine propulsion systems.
Clean Energy Partnership: Ballard, eCap Marine, and Samskip
The partnership between Ballard and eCap Marine began in 2021 and has now entered a significant new phase. The 32 FCwave™ fuel cell modules will power two Samskip vessels operating on routes between Norway and the Netherlands, enabling zero-emission marine transport. Ballard’s FCwave™ is the world’s first DNV type-approved fuel cell for marine use, ensuring safety and compliance with global standards.
This contract reflects a shared commitment between the three companies to decarbonize the maritime sector using scalable, high-performance hydrogen-based technologies.
Technical Excellence Meets Environmental Stewardship
eCap Marine will integrate the fuel cells into custom green propulsion systems, leveraging their in-house expertise in hydrogen-based fuels, naval architecture, and electrical engineering. Their systems have been proven through earlier projects like the H2PowerPac, which retrofitted offshore supply vessels to operate emission-free in ecologically sensitive regions.
The new vessels for Samskip will demonstrate fuel cell viability on long-haul, demanding marine routes, and are expected to influence broader adoption across the industry.
Public-Private Collaboration: ENOVA’s Role
The project is supported by ENOVA, Norway’s government agency for energy and climate initiatives. This backing underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in accelerating the maritime industry’s shift toward zero-emission solutions.
Ballard President & CEO Marty Neese called the deal a “critical validation point” for PEM fuel cell propulsion, while eCap Marine’s Managing Director Lars Ravens emphasized that the partnership reflects operational excellence and a shared vision for sustainable maritime transport.
With the signing of this groundbreaking fuel cell engine order, Ballard Power Systems, eCap Marine, and Samskip are setting a new benchmark for zero-emission marine operations in Europe. The integration of Ballard’s DNV-certified fuel cells into Samskip’s vessels marks a pivotal step toward cleaner shipping across international waters. This collaboration not only showcases cutting-edge clean tech but also reflects a collective commitment to shaping the future of sustainable global logistics.
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Source: BALLARD
