Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels Market Outlook
Fuel cells are flexible in nature and can be used as a single cell or in stacks. As a result, the power produced can be channelized through a ship, without an increase in the consumption of conventional fuel. Fuel cells are used in marine vessels to power the propulsion system and cater to the onboard energy consumption requirements. Of late, companies are investing in technology development to produce alternate propulsion systems with low carbon emissions in response to stringent regulatory policies. As a result, higher investments are being made on the development of alternate propulsion systems, such as fuel cells, for marine vessels. Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market was valued at USD 2,488.74 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 2,730.73 million in 2024 to USD 5,736.8 million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.72% during the forecast period (2024 – 2032).
MRFR recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market- Ballard Power Systems, MEYER WERFT GmbH & Co. KG, Nuvera Fuel Cells LLC, PowerShell Group, Proton Motor Gmbh, Cummins Inc., Toshiba Corporation, General Electric, Advent Technologies, Doosan Fuel Cell Co., Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company, Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC, Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (Toyota), and SIEMENS.
Market Highlights
Fuel cells, also known as maritime fuel cells, function similarly to a battery in that they store energy as hydrogen fuel and release it into the battery whenever the fuel supply runs low. Because they have longer routed and larger vessels, they are essential in assisting the marine industries in mitigating GHG emissions on the water. The market will develop because of factors like the need for alternative propulsion technologies and emission control regulations.
The use of AIP technology is a major factor influencing the growth of the fuel cell industry for marine vessels. The term “air-independent propulsion” (AIP) describes a technique that uses fuel cells to power maritime vessels’ propulsion systems, including submarines. It also makes it possible for non-nuclear submarines to function without having to surface to get oxygen. Furthermore, nuclear submarines use onboard nuclear reactors to generate power; non-nuclear submarines usually rely on batteries. Furthermore, because of their small acoustic signature, this improves the non-nuclear submarines’ ability to remain stealthy. On the other side, the noise produced by nuclear reactor operations is also produced by nuclear submarines. Therefore, when non-nuclear submarines employ fuel cells, AIP technology can further improve their stealth capabilities. Thus, during the forecast period, these factors are propelling the market’s expansion. For instance, On July 2021, in an effort to develop and commercialize hydrogen fuel cell systems for marine vessel propulsion, Hyundai Motor Company announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korean Register (KR), the only internationally recognized classification society in South Korea, and Hyundai Global Service, a South Korean manufacturer specializing in ship electric propulsion systems and a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group. As the firm’s first strategic cooperation involving the application of its fuel cell system technology in the shipbuilding industry, Hyundai Motor is leading the way in the development of a new generation of seafaring vessels, therefore the MOU represents a key milestone for the company. Hyundai Motor will be positioned as a pioneer in the development of hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion systems and the worldwide eco-friendly vessel industry thanks to this collaboration, which is also anticipated to provide a platform for identifying and assessing economic prospects for fuel cell-powered ships. Hyundai Global Service will produce and market the fuel cell-based propulsion systems, while Hyundai Motor will supply the fuel cell systems and offer technical support. All fuel cell-powered vessels of different sizes will need to meet standards for type certification set by Korean Register to be approved for commercial usage.
Segment Analysis
The global Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market companies has been segmented based on type, application, power output, and Region.
By type the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market has been segmented into Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs), Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFCs), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs), Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs), and Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs). The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) segment dominated the market in 2022 whereas the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFCs) segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the assessment period. Based on application, the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market has been divided into commercial and defense. The Commercial segment dominated the market in 2022 whereas defense are expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the assessment period. Based on power output, the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market has been divided into <200 KW and >200 KW. The <200 KW segment dominated the market in 2022 whereas >200 KW are expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the assessment period. The regions included in the study are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market in 2022 while Europe is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during forecast period. The global market is highly competitive with the presence of several vendors offering feature-rich and innovative solutions to their customers.
Geographically, the global Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market has been categorized into regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America. North America led the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market in 2022, Whereas the market Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market, registering the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. In terms of revenue, Asia-Pacific held the largest share of ~59.5% in the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominates the Fuel Cells for Marine Vessels market due to In the Asia-Pacific region, the fuel cell market for marine applications is experiencing notable growth and transformation, driven by a convergence of factors that emphasize environmental sustainability, economic development, and the imperative to address air quality concerns. Countries like Japan and South Korea, which are global leaders in shipbuilding and maritime transport, are actively seeking solutions to reduce the environmental impact of their fleets. Fuel cells, known for producing electricity with minimal emissions and pollutants, align with these nations’ efforts to comply with stringent environmental regulations and global sustainability goals.
In Europe, the fuel cell market for marine applications has experienced significant growth, driven by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector. European countries have been actively seeking cleaner and more sustainable alternatives to traditional propulsion systems for vessels, leading to a notable shift toward fuel cell technology. The emphasis on environmental sustainability is a major catalyst for the adoption of fuel cells in the European maritime industry. Stringent environmental regulations and the recognition of the maritime sector’s impact on air and water quality have prompted a revaluation of propulsion technologies. Fuel cells, which produce electricity through electrochemical reactions without emitting harmful pollutants, are emerging as a key solution to meet the region’s ambitious emissions reduction targets.
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