PowerCell to Supply Fuel Cells for World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Bulk Carriers

PowerCell Group has signed a contract to deliver fuel cell systems for two hydrogen-powered bulk carriers being developed by GMI Rederi AS. The deal, valued at just over SEK 40 million, covers the supply of 14 Marine System 225 units with a combined output of more than 3 MW, along with engineering services. Deliveries are planned for 2026 and 2027.

Each vessel, measuring 85 meters with a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tons, will be fitted with seven Marine System 225 units. The integration will allow the ships to operate fully on renewable hydrogen, eliminating fossil fuel use. When launched in early 2027, they are expected to become the first hydrogen-powered bulk carriers in the world.

The vessels are being developed by GMI Rederi, with eCap Marine, a German ship integrator specialising in green propulsion, responsible for engineering, integration, and certification. The project is supported by Norway’s Enova fund and the NOx Fund and forms part of the Green Shipping Programme, a public–private initiative to accelerate maritime decarbonisation.

Stig Kallestad, Marine Director at PowerCell Group, said: “This project shows just how far the Marine System 225 has come in proving itself as a reliable and competitive solution across shipping segments. Bulk carriers are demanding applications, and the fact that our technology is chosen here demonstrates that hydrogen fuel cells are no longer just pilots, they are real solutions for real operations.”

Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, 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 favour 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 Torstein Holsvik, CEO of GMI Rederi, said: “Existing bulk carriers are outdated, and we needed to think completely anew.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.”