HDF Energy and ABB collaborate on hydrogen fuel cells

Towards a new era in maritime propulsion

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.

Combining hydrogen fuel cell innovation with marine engineering excellence

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).

As part of the collaboration:

• 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.

Building on momentum across the Asia-Pacific region

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.

Part of the European Industrial IPCEI Programme supported by the French State

This collaborative project is part of HDF Energy’s broader industrial plan to develop and industrialise multi-MW 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 programme, 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 programme.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/16122025/hdf-energy-and-abb-collaborate-on-hydrogen-fuel-cells/