PowerCell Secures SEK 27M for Hydrogen-Electric Bulk Carriers

PowerCell Group has secured a follow-up order worth SEK 27 million ($2.7 million) for fuel cell systems and engineering services for two additional hydrogen-electric bulk carriers, expanding its collaboration with GMI Group AS from two to four vessels, according to multiple sources including Ship & Bunker and Marine Link.

Order Details

The follow-up order, which was announced in October 2026, includes 10 Marine System 225 fuel cell units, providing more than 2 MW of power. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and 2028, with the order following the initial deal in September 2025, as reported by ship.energy and Hellenic Shipping News.

Vessel Specifications

Each of the four vessels will be equipped with five Marine System 225 units, bringing the total supply across all four ships to 24 units, representing a combined installed fuel cell power of 5.4 MW. The first two vessels, each measuring 85 meters in length and with a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tonnes, are scheduled for launch in 2027 and are expected to become the world's first hydrogen-electric bulk carriers, according to Marine Link.

The two additional bulk carriers will each have a deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes and will be constructed by India-based Chowgule Shipyard, as noted by Ship & Bunker.

Technology and Certification

The vessels are being developed to use compressed renewable hydrogen to generate electricity onboard through fuel cells. PowerCell will supply the fuel cell systems and engineering support, while eCap Marine will handle vessel-level integration and certification of the hydrogen and propulsion systems, as stated by Offshore Energy and Hellenic Shipping News.

Reusing the same fuel cell platform across all four vessels allows engineering, certification, and integration experience from the first two ships to be applied directly to the subsequent deliveries, according to statements from Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, and Torstein Holsvik, CEO of GMI Group.

Financial and Regulatory Support

The vessel concept has received support from Norway's Enova fund and the NOx Fund and forms part of the Green Shipping Program, highlighting the significance of these projects in the transition towards zero-emission maritime technology.

What this means for operators: The expansion of the hydrogen-electric bulk carrier project from two to four vessels demonstrates the growing confidence in hydrogen technology and its potential to drive the transition to zero-emission shipping. For operators, this signals a viable pathway to sustainable shipping with established technology and financial support, facilitating broader adoption in the industry.