Application
Hydrogen Power Units for Marine and Ports
The Challenge
Ports are on the front line of maritime emissions regulation:
- Emission control areas — ships at berth must limit exhaust, pushing ports to provide clean shore power (cold ironing) so vessels can switch off auxiliary engines.
- Grid capacity — retrofitting a berth for megawatt-scale shore power can exceed available grid connection capacity.
- Noise at berths — auxiliary gensets run around the clock near residential areas, driving noise complaints.
- Port equipment emissions — cranes, yard tractors and terminal generators add to local air-quality burdens.
The Hydrogen Solution
- Containerised hydrogen generators for shore power — fuel cell blocks deliver clean power to a berth without waiting for grid upgrades.
- Auxiliary vessel power — hydrogen generators replace diesel auxiliary gensets on ferries, workboats and channel craft.
- Port equipment power — mobile hydrogen units power cranes, workshops and terminal services with zero local emissions.
- Fuel flexibility — ports becoming hydrogen hubs can supply ships and shore infrastructure from one fuel ecosystem.
Deployment Thinking
A ferry terminal berth requiring 1 MW of shore power can be served by a containerised fuel cell installation fed from port hydrogen storage, avoiding a costly grid upgrade. Vessels with modest hotel loads (50–150 kW) can switch auxiliary generation to hydrogen units, meeting Emission Control Area requirements while at berth or in anchorage. Ports pursuing green-corridor projects can combine hydrogen generators with bunkering infrastructure to decarbonise both vessels and shore operations.
Selection Advice
- Power rating and berth interface — match voltage, frequency and shore-connection standards (for example IEC 80005) of the berth.
- Maritime certifications — for vessel or waterside use, verify classification approvals (for example DNV, ABS, CCS) and marine-grade enclosures.
- Saline and marine environment — specify corrosion-resistant units and salt-filtered air handling.
- Fuel bunkering — integrate with port hydrogen supply and agree bunkering procedures, safety zones and custody transfer.
- Safety zoning — coordinate hazardous-area classification with port authorities and insurers.