HDF Energy and ABB collaborate to jointly develop a multi-megawatt maritime hydrogen fuel cell system

HDF Energy and ABB's Marine & Ports division have signed a joint-development agreement to develop a scalable high-power maritime fuel cell system for propulsion and auxiliary power of vessels.

Maritime transport generates around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting the IMO (International Maritime Organisation)'s ambition to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport, meeting this challenge requires a shift to clean propulsion and auxiliary technologies capable of enabling zero-emission operations — allowing ship operators to comply with tightening environmental regulations, cut port-side emissions, and contribute to cleaner coastal waters.

The partnership between ABB and HDF Energy is purpose-built to help meet global decarbonisation targets. The high-power fuel cell will provide ship owners, operators, naval architects and shipyards with a proven, clean hydrogen-powered solution to propel vessels such as passenger ferries, cruise ships, container ships, offshore service vessels and coast guard fleets, while also powering their auxiliary systems (production of electricity on-board, air-conditioning power supply).

Image ©HDF Energy

HDF Energy, expert in fuel cell systems and hydrogen infrastructure, will lead overall design, certification, mechanical integration, manufacturing, testing and commercialisation of the high-power fuel cell.

ABB, a global leader in automation and electrification, will lead the system integration, ensuring compatibility with ship power systems, and leverage its global sales network to promote and commercialise the jointly developed solution.

This partnership reinforces HDF Energy's growing international presence in maritime decarbonisation. The company has already signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia to advance the use of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in maritime transport. Through these partnerships, HDF Energy is working with Governments and local stakeholders to replace conventional diesel propulsion on inter-island and coastal routes with clean, reliable hydrogen power — demonstrating both the readiness of its technology and the emergence of a concrete market for zero-emission maritime solutions.

This collaborative project is part of HDF Energy's broader industrial plan to develop and industrialise multi-megawatt fuel cells for heavy maritime and rail mobility, as well as public grid electricity generation. This industrial plan has been recognised as part of the ‘Hy2Move' wave of the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hydrogen program, and benefits from French State aid under the France 2030 plan. The signed financing agreement now enables HDF Energy to move into the operational phase of the program.

Hanane El Hamraoui, CEO of HDF Energy, commented: "Collaborating with ABB brings together two leaders with complementary expertise. By combining ABB's world class marine systems capabilities with HDF's leadership in hydrogen-powered solutions, we will be delivering a system capable of powering the next generation of zero-emission vessels. This is more than technological development — it's about enabling a systemic transformation in how maritime transport is powered."

Rune Braastad, Division President of ABB's Marine & Ports division stated: “We are looking forward to this collaboration and are impressed about the unique capabilities of HDF Energy to design and produce a megawatt-scale fuel cell unit at their Blanquefort facilities. The scale of their factory and test field enables them to run load tests to the produced units using self-produced green hydrogen, which is extraordinary in the industry.”

For more information, visit www.hdf-energy.com.