PowerCell Expands Hydrogen-Electric Bulk Carrier Project with GMI Group to Four Vessels
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
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- Marine insightPowerCell Secures SEK 27 Million Order For Two More Hydrogen-Electric Bulk Carriers
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PowerCell Group has received an additional order worth SEK 27 million to supply fuel cell systems and engineering services for two more hydrogen-electric bulk carriers to be delivered to GMI Group AS. The order includes 10 Marine System 225 units, with a combined output exceeding 2 MW, with deliveries scheduled for the 2027-2028 period.
Project Expansion
This new order adds to the first one placed in September 2025 and expands the collaboration between the two companies from two to four vessels in total. With this addition, PowerCell will supply 24 Marine System 225 units across the four bulk carriers combined, equivalent to an installed fuel cell capacity of 5.4 MW.
Vessel Specifications
The first two vessels in the project have a length overall of 85 meters and a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tonnes, with launch scheduled for 2027; they are expected to become the world's first hydrogen-electric bulk carriers. The two additional vessels will each have a deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes and will be built at the Chowgule shipyard, equipped with five Marine System 225 units per vessel. All vessels will use compressed renewable hydrogen to generate onboard electricity via fuel cells.
Roles and Project Support
PowerCell will provide the fuel cell systems and engineering support within its scope, while eCap Marine will handle vessel-level integration and certification of the hydrogen and propulsion solution. The concept is backed by the Norwegian fund Enova and the NOx Fund, and is part of the Green Shipping Programme.
Statements
Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, noted that the move from two to four vessels demonstrates the value of the company's business model, combining an industrialized fuel cell platform with application engineering that can be replicated across the fleet. For his part, Torstein Holsvik, CEO of GMI Group AS, stated that the decision to add two more vessels reflects confidence in the solution and in the cooperation established during the first project, providing a solid foundation for developing a new generation of bulk carriers powered by renewable hydrogen.
