News

PowerCell joins European GAMMA project to accelerate green transition in shipping

PowerCell, a leading supplier of fuel cells for the marine market, has joined the European GAMMA project, a €17 million Horizon Europe funded initiative aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of deep-sea shipping through climate-neutral fuels and fuel cell-based power generation. 

The GAMMA project (Green Ammonia and Biomethanol fuel MAritime Vessels) brings together 16 European partners to retrofit a 60,000 DWT bulk carrier from TOPIC Fleet.

The vessel will serve as a full-scale demonstration of how hydrogen-based fuel cell systems can replace fossil fuel auxiliary generators, enabling zero-emission power generation onboard large ocean-going vessels.

PowerCell will contribute a 1 MW class fuel cell power system to the project, enabling the demonstration of hydrogen produced onboard from green methanol and ammonia as a reliable source of electrical power for maritime applications.

“This project represents exactly the type of industrial learning that the maritime sector needs right now,” said Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group.

“GAMMA allows us to move beyond theoretical studies and demonstrate how fuel cells, hydrogen carriers and onboard reforming can work together in a commercial vessel. That operational experience is what will ultimately de-risk adoption and unlock large-scale deployment.”

While batteries can address certain maritime applications, they cannot meet the full energy and endurance requirements of deep-sea shipping. Hydrogen and hydrogen carriers such as methanol and ammonia, combined with fuel cell power systems, offer a scalable pathway toward zero-emission auxiliary and eventually main propulsion power.