At the “e4ship” project, launched in July, renowned German shipyards and shipping companies are cooperating with leading fuel cell manufacturers like MTU Onsite Energy and classification societies. Together, they intend to prove by 2016 by way of a range of five projects that - with regard to technical aspects - it is possible to integrate fuel cells into the on-board power supply systems of ships whilst ensuring full function under routine conditions. Emission reductions are a requirement prescribed by shipyards as a reaction to the increasingly strict legal emission limits applicable to harbors.

Catering for low-emission harbor power supply requirements involves both high temperature fuel cells using molten carbonate technology provided by MTU Onsite Energy’s location in Munich, as well as low temperature fuel cells featuring proton exchange membrane technology (PEM). The fuel cell of the Tognum brand is integrated in the projects Pa-X-ell - trials on a cruise ship for onsite power and heat generation - and SchIBZ. The SchIBZ sub-project focuses on the development of an ocean-going fuel cell system with an integral diesel reforming functionality.