ABB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hydrogène de France (HDF) to jointly manufacture megawatt-scale hydrogen fuel cell systems capable of powering ocean-going vessels.
Building on an existing collaboration with Ballard Power Systems, provider of proton exchange membrane fuel cell solutions, ABB and HDF intend to produce the new megawatt-scale power plant based on the megawatt-scale fuel cell jointly developed by ABB and Ballard. It will be manufactured at HDF’s new facility in Bordeaux, France.
“With the ever-increasing demand for solutions that enable sustainable, responsible shipping, we are confident that fuel cells will play an important role in helping the marine industry meet CO2 reduction targets,” says Juha Koskela, managing director of ABB Marine & Ports.
Shipping accounts for about 2.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions and the International Maritime Organization has set a global target to cut annual emissions by at least 50% by 2050 from 2008 levels.