The shipping industry is taking a major step toward decarbonisation as PowerCell Group joins the European GAMMA initiative.
Funded with €17m through Horizon Europe, the project aims to demonstrate how hydrogen-based fuel cells and climate-neutral fuels can transform deep-sea shipping, enabling zero-emission operations for large ocean-going vessels.
The five-year initiative is led by Icelandic engineering company Verkís and includes a consortium of European innovators, such as ANT Topic, Fraunhofer, Aurelia, Sea Green Engineering, Energy Cluster Denmark, SINTEF, and Politecnico di Milano, among others.
Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, commented: “This project represents exactly the type of industrial learning that the maritime sector needs right now.
“GAMMA allows us to move beyond theoretical studies and demonstrate how fuel cells, hydrogen carriers, and onboard reforming can work together in a commercial vessel. That operational experience is what will ultimately de-risk adoption and unlock large-scale deployment.”
A landmark project for maritime decarbonisation
The GAMMA project – short for Green Ammonia and Biomethanol fuel MAritime Vessels – brings together 16 European partners to retrofit a 60,000 DWT bulk carrier from TOPIC Fleet.
This retrofit will convert the vessel into a full-scale testbed for green shipping technologies, replacing traditional fossil fuel generators with hydrogen-powered fuel cell systems.
PowerCell Group will supply a 1 MW-class fuel cell power system to the project, allowing the ship to generate electricity on board using hydrogen derived from green methanol and ammonia.
By integrating this system into the vessel’s auxiliary power architecture, the project will validate real-world performance, safety, durability, and system integration under the demanding conditions of deep-sea navigation.
The potential of hydrogen fuel cells to transform shipping
While battery technology can support short-range maritime applications, it cannot meet the endurance and energy requirements of deep-sea shipping.
Fuel cells powered by hydrogen and hydrogen carriers such as methanol and ammonia provide a scalable solution for zero-emission auxiliary power – and eventually, main propulsion.
The GAMMA project will cultivate essential operational data on system efficiency, reliability, safety, maintenance, and integration.
This information will guide future regulatory frameworks and commercial investments, providing confidence to shipowners, yards, and regulators about the practical feasibility of green shipping solutions.
Operational insights from full-scale demonstrations
Demonstration projects like GAMMA are vital in an industry where vessels are expected to operate for decades.
Real-world testing allows stakeholders to move beyond theoretical studies and gain hands-on experience with fuel cell systems, onboard reforming, and hydrogen carriers.
These insights help de-risk technology adoption and accelerate broader implementation in the shipping sector.
The importance of decarbonising shipping
Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions, a number projected to rise if the industry continues relying on fossil fuels.
Decarbonising shipping is crucial not only for achieving global climate targets but also for ensuring sustainable trade practices.
Green shipping technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells and alternative fuels like ammonia and methanol, provide practical pathways to reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.
By demonstrating these technologies in large-scale, operational vessels, projects like GAMMA accelerate the transition to climate-neutral shipping, paving the way for future regulations and commercial adoption.
With this initiative, the industry is taking a significant leap toward operationally viable, climate-neutral vessels.
