Ballard signs MOU with global energy ventures for development of fuel cell-powered ship

Artist rendering of Global Energy Ventures’ fuel cell-powered C-H2 Ship, to be powered by a Ballard system as it transports compressed green hydrogen (CNW Group/Ballard Power Systems Inc.)

VANCOUVER, BC and WEST PERTH, Australia — Ballard Power Systems announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Global Energy Ventures for the development of a new fuel cell-powered ship, called C-H2 Ship, designed to transport compressed green hydrogen.

The power required for a small-scale demonstration of the C-H2 Ship is expected to be under 10 megawatts (MW). At full scale, the C-H2 Ship will have a propulsion power requirement of approximately 26MW, and a containment system for storage of 2,000 tons of compressed green hydrogen.

GEV will be responsible for design approvals, development, financing, and operation of C-H2 Ship, along with integration of the required power system. Ballard will be responsible for design of the fuel cell system for the C-H2 Ship, based on its FCwaveTM technology, and will assist GEV with integration of the fuel cell system into the vessel’s design. Ballard’s FCwaveTM system will obtain its hydrogen fuel from the compressed green hydrogen stored onboard and transported by the vessel.

Martin Carolan, Executive Director of Global Energy Ventures said in a statement, “This MOU is a significant step in our development of the Company’s C-H2 Ship, with hydrogen fuel cells now at the forefront of zero-emission technologies for shipping. We look forward to working with Ballard on the development of the C-H2 Ship’s fuel cell system and power requirements in line with our development program for a compressed shipping solution for hydrogen marine transport at scale.”