Passenger ferry and cruiseship operators have been at the forefront of interest to install pollution-free fuel-cell systems.
A 3MW installed-power fuel-cell system is close to being launched by ABB Marine & Ports and Ballard Power Systems, with the most likely use to provide energy for auxiliary or hotel functions on board smaller vessels. But what would 3MW give in terms of propulsion power?
Jan-Erik Rasanen, head of new technology at Finnish ship design and engineering company Foreship, said it could be enough power for a 100-metre-long double-ended ferry with a hotel load of 600kW.
