ABB and HDF Energy Advance Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Maritime Decarbonization

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ABB and HDF Energy Advance Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Maritime Decarbonization
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ABB and HDF Energy Advance Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Maritime Decarbonization

Dec 24, 2025

A New Step Toward Low-Carbon Marine Power
ABB and HDF Energy have entered a joint development agreement to accelerate the creation of high-power hydrogen fuel cell units designed specifically for marine applications. This collaboration marks an important milestone in the transition toward cleaner energy solutions for large seagoing vessels, including container feeder ships and liquefied hydrogen carriers. With pilot installations expected between 2028 and 2029, and commercial production planned from 2030, the project highlights how advanced power technologies are becoming a realistic option for reducing emissions in traditionally fuel-intensive industries.

Combining System Integration and Fuel Cell Expertise
The partnership brings together ABB’s strong background in electrical system integration with HDF Energy’s experience in designing and manufacturing large-scale fuel cell units. HDF Energy will focus on fuel cell technology, while ABB will provide power converters, power management systems, and electrical and control integration. Such system-level collaboration reflects the same principles applied in modern Distributed Control System replacement parts strategies, where compatibility, reliability, and long-term lifecycle support are critical for industrial users.

Enabling Cleaner Power for Large Vessels
The high-power fuel cell unit is designed to support megawatt-scale applications, enabling shipowners to reduce or eliminate diesel auxiliary generators. When powered by green hydrogen, the solution can significantly lower carbon emissions, making hydrogen-electric vessels a practical alternative for future fleets. This approach aligns with broader trends in industrial automation parts and industrial spare parts supply, where energy efficiency and sustainability are increasingly influencing equipment selection and system upgrades.

Integration with Hybrid Power and DC Grid Systems
ABB's Onboard DC Grid™ power system will allow seamless integration of the fuel cell unit with other onboard power sources, such as battery energy storage systems. This hybrid configuration improves operational flexibility and extends vessel range while maintaining stable power delivery. From a control perspective, such architectures require dependable power electronics, monitoring systems, and automation components—areas closely linked to DCS spare parts and long-term spare parts management for mission-critical operations.

Beyond Ships: Supporting Port Electrification
In addition to onboard applications, the fuel cell unit may also serve as an auxiliary power source for ports. It can support shore power and charging infrastructure, particularly where grid capacity is limited or peak demand must be managed efficiently. This mirrors challenges faced across industrial facilities, where robust spare parts management and reliable automation infrastructure are essential to maintain uptime and meet evolving energy demands.

Conclusion
The ABB–HDF Energy collaboration demonstrates how advanced fuel cell technology and integrated power systems can drive meaningful progress in maritime decarbonization. As industries move toward cleaner, smarter, and more efficient energy solutions, the role of reliable industrial automation parts, system integration expertise, and professional DCS module suppliers becomes increasingly important. For automation-driven sectors, these developments reinforce the value of future-ready systems supported by high-quality spare parts, long-term availability, and proven technical expertise.