PowerCell secures new fuel cell order for two hydrogen-electric bulk carriers

Swedish fuel cell manufacturer PowerCell Group has secured a SEK 27 million (US$2.9 million) follow-up order to supply hydrogen fuel cell systems and engineering services for two additional bulk carriers being developed by GMI Group AS.

The agreement expands the collaboration between the companies from two to four vessels, following an initial order placed in September 2025.

Under the new contract, PowerCell will supply 10 Marine System 225 units, providing more than 2 MW of combined power. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

The two additional bulk carriers will each have a deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes and will be built by Chowgule Shipyard.

Hydrogen-electric fleet expands to four vessels

GMI Group is developing bulk carriers that use compressed renewable hydrogen to generate electricity onboard through fuel cells.

The first two vessels, each measuring 85 metres in length and offering a carrying capacity of 4,000 DWT, are scheduled for launch in 2027.

According to PowerCell, these ships are expected to become the world’s first hydrogen-electric bulk carriers.

With the latest order, PowerCell will supply a total of 24 Marine System 225 units across the four vessels, representing 5.4 MW of installed fuel cell power.

Each of the two additional vessels will be equipped with five units.

The use of the same fuel cell platform across the fleet will allow the companies to apply engineering and certification experience from the initial vessels to the new projects.

PowerCell strengthens marine fuel cell partnership

PowerCell will supply the fuel cell systems and provide engineering support, while eCap Marine will manage vessel-level integration and certification of the hydrogen and propulsion systems.

The vessel concept has received support from Norway’s Enova fund and the NOx Fund. It also forms part of the Green Shipping Program.

“Scaling from two vessels to four demonstrates the value of our business model,” said Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group.

The latest order marks a further expansion of PowerCell’s marine fuel cell activities, with the company moving from individual vessel projects towards supplying systems for larger fleets.

The new vessels remain under development, while deliveries of the additional fuel cell systems are planned for 2027–2028.

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