German Shipbuilder Meyer Werft Launches Research Project for Fuel Cell Technology on Cruise Ships

German shipbuilder Meyer Werft, in collaboration with consortium partners, has initiated a groundbreaking research project focusing on fuel cell technology powered by green methanol for cruise ships. The project, named zero4cruise, aims to create a climate-friendly and low-emission energy system for the maritime industry.

The zero4cruise project commenced on January 24, 2025, with Meyer Werft leading the consortium alongside fuel cell technology specialist Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), including the DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics and the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems.

The primary objective of zero4cruise is to develop fuel cell technology utilizing green methanol, enabling the deployment of large-scale fuel cell stacks and systems on both newbuilds and existing cruise ships. This initiative is crucial for advancing the decarbonization of the cruise sector, given the extended operational lifespan of vessels.

The hybrid energy system under development will integrate proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with a methanol reformer and battery systems to enhance efficiency and facilitate carbon-neutral operations in ports and coastal regions.

DLR’s involvement in the zero4cruise project includes the pre-development and testing of technology for large maritime stacks and systems. The institute aims to construct prototype fuel cell stacks with capacities of 250 kW (LT-PEM) and 120 kW (HT-PEM) for performance validation in laboratory settings.

Furthermore, the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems is conducting extensive tests on a 500 kW maritime fuel cell system to replicate real-world load cycles experienced by cruise ships, demonstrating the long-term viability of the technology. The institute will also evaluate newly developed LT and HT PEM fuel cell stacks in the Maritime Energy Laboratory to ensure seamless integration into the overall system.

The zero4cruise project is financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, with a total funding allocation of €18.7 million.