Shell to trial hydrogen fuel cells for ships in Singapore

The company will charter both the trial vessel and the hydrogen fuel provider.

Shell, together with other partners, will collaborate on a feasibility study to trial the use of hydrogen fuel cells for ships in Singapore, it has announced.

The company is the charterer of the trial vessel and the hydrogen fuel provider. It is working with SembCorp Marine and wholly-owned subsidiary LMG Marin AS, who will design the fuel cell and retrofit the vessel, as well as Penguin International, who owns the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel.

The trial will develop and install an auxiliary power unit proton exchange membrane fuel cell on an existing RoRo vessel that transports goods, vehicles, and equipment on lorries between the mainland and Shell’s Pulau Bukom Manufacturing Site.

The fuel cell is set to be installed next year.

According to Nick Potter, general manager of Shell shipping and maritime in Asia Pacific & Middle East, the trial is an important step in demonstrating the applicability of hydrogen and fuel cells on ships.

“We see fuel cells and hydrogen as a promising pathway for decarbonising shipping and working with partners in this way will develop our understanding of this critical technology. This trial is a testament to the thriving sector ecosystem in Singapore that makes this possible. It is also part of our ambition to help accelerate progress towards net-zero emissions in the shipping sector, an important pillar of the Singapore economy,” Potter said.