The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) Fourth GHG study reported that global shipping resulted in around one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and three percent of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a CO2 -equivalent basis. Therefore, for the maritime industry to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, it must reduce emissions by 45 percent in 2030 compared with 2010 levels and reach net zero by 2050. Several options to decarbonize the sector include batteries, fuel cells (FC), green hydrogen, green ammonia, e-methane, and carbon capture. Still, there has yet to be a clear winning solution.

A new report from IDTechEx, ‘Fuel Cell Boats & Ships 2023-2033’, has strongly backed fuel cells to play a pivotal role in this decarbonization voyage. The chemical energy in green fuels can be converted into mechanical energy in multiple ways, including combustion. IDTechEx points to fuel cells with their high potential as a highly efficient solution offering a pathway to zero emissions.