Driven by environmental concerns and the need for sustainable and clean energy in shipping the fuel cell gets in the focus of the maritime industry as a possibility for clean energy conversion on board. Till now fuel cell systems on board of ships are still in the demonstration phase. The only exception is the PEMFC in the submarines from German yard HDW. The PEMFC now starts to come into the market. The high temperature fuel cell, especially the MCFC will probably come into the market during the next 5 to10 years. According to the high power demand in shipping the fuel cell will not replace the existing multi Megawatt main engines of large ships in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless the potential for auxiliary power generation by FC-Systems is much larger than the markets under discussion for large FC-Systems today. In addition this market is less price sensitive than the current target markets of most FC manufacturers. The adoption of fuel cell technology on board will first take place in the replacement of auxiliary power generators. Nevertheless in special markets and applications the fuel cell already today is a good alternative for traditional engines. Especially for pleasure crafts, inland navigational vessel, ferries and also large passenger vessels the fuel cell can be a good alternative. Where a lower power demand or only a regional fuel supply is necessary hydrogen fuelled systems can be applied.
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