Maritime applications are held against some of the toughest regulations of any mobility sector. This is due to the unique risks of operating in open waters, the scale of potential disasters and the international nature of shipping.
While undoubtedly needed, it makes introducing new technologies a tall order. This has led technology developers to design dedicated maritime hydrogen fuel cell systems, tailored to meet strict safety and operational standards.
The option gives OEMs the ability to meet precise power needs across applications and meet the safety requirements on vessels. However, with hydrogen technology players now reckoning with delayed demand and pushed-back projects, the viability of using these from-scratch systems is diminishing.
Japan’s automotive giant Honda, however, is taking a different approach. Under a collaboration agreement with UK-based clean powertrain system integrator Hypermotive, the pair are adapting Honda’s automotive fuel cell to meet a broad range of maritime applications.
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
