10 June 2022, The MultiSchiBZ research project has been successfully completed with a innovation boost for the use of fuel cells in maritime shipping. Over the past two years, OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH has built and operated a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system in the laboratory. It is designed for the production of on-board power for ship operation at sea and in berth operation in ports. The system is designed to convert liquid fuels available on board into a hydrogen-rich fuel gas, which SOFC fuel cells convert into electrical energy. System operation is low in CO2 and pollutants, as well as quiet and virtually vibration-free. 

In Berlin's west port, the governing mayor of Berlin Franziska Giffey christened the ELEKTRA today! After almost two years of construction at the Hermann Barthel GmbH shipyard in Derben and the transfer to Berlin's west port, the long-term testing of this unique, innovative and emission-free push boat can now begin.

March 2022, When it comes to greater sustainability and reducing emissions, the shipping industry needs to turn away from fossil fuels and find new energy sources. Fuel cells could pave the way into a green future on mega yachts.

Bremen, 21 April 2021 Lürssen is building its first yacht with fuel cell technology for a pioneering and technology driven client. The fuel cell is flanking the conventional generators and is a big step to an emission free Lürssen yacht. This innovative technology makes it possible to anchor emission-free for 15 days or cruise 1000 miles at slow speed. Peter Lürssen states: „My grandfather built the world’s first motorboat in 1886, my dream is to be the first to build a yacht without a combustion engine.”

Weinheim (Germany), November 3, 2020. The methanol-operated fuel cell system from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has been issued “Approval in Principle” by the classification society DNV GL. This sets the course for further testing: Systems backed by the “Pa-X-ell 2” research project will be installed on the AidaNova cruise ship as soon as in 2021. Five innovation partners – Freudenberg, Lürssen, Meyer Werft, AIDA Cruises, and DNV GL – work closely together here.

In the framework of its “Zero Emission Shipping” symposium on 4 September 2019 in Hamburg, NOW GmbH successfully continued its event series on alternative shipping fuels and maritime future energies. The key focus was a holistic approach to ports as integrated energy systems with the aim of shaping them for the future through smart grids, shore power, electric mobility, hydrogen, fuel cells and power-to-x technology.