Ballard awarded ABS type approval for FCwave™ marine fuel cell module

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Ballard Power Systems's FCwave™ fuel cell module its third marine-specific Type Approval, following previous approvals from European classification organizations DNV and Lloyd's Register.

The 200kW module, designed for the demanding requirements of marine applications, is the first commercially available fuel cell solution, which was launched on Norwegian operator Norled’s MF Hydra liquid-hydrogen ferry in March 2023.

Type Approval is a globally recognized certification scheme which provides assurance and confidence in a marine- or offshore-based product, ensuring it conforms to national and international standards, codes and conventions by completing a comprehensive process involving documentation reviews, design verification, prototype testing and assessment of manufacturing procedures. 

Type Approval benefits Ballard and the FCwave™ module by providing an increased level of product acceptance in the international market, reducing lead-time for product supply, ensuring the product remains in sync with changing industry requirements, and delivering security and quality assurance to the end user.

This latest announcement solidifies Ballard's position in supplying zero-emission technology to the marine sector and underscores the growing acceptance and adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in maritime industries around the world.

"Ballard's latest Type Approval is a crucial certification that verifies the safety, reliability, and performance of marine equipment - making it easier for shipbuilders and operators to integrate the FCwave™ into their vessels. The ABS approval not only validates the technological capabilities of Ballard's fuel cell but also signifies a critical step forward in the global maritime industry's transition towards cleaner, hydrogen-based power solutions. As the third Type Approval for Ballard in the sector, it demonstrates the company’s leading role in advancing sustainable technologies for marine."

Thomas Therkild Petersen Product Line Manager, Marine, Ballard

Ballard's FCwave™ is integrated in Norled's MF Hydra, with two modules delivering 400kW of power. Having successfully been in operation for 18 months, the commercial passenger and car vessel recently marked a significant milestone by completing 20,000 crossings of the Hjelmeland-Skipavik-Nesvik triangular route in Norway.

The FCwave™ is also currently powering the testing of zero-emission vessels elsewhere in Europe, with six modules integrated in the H2 Barge 2 hydrogen-powered container ship which was inaugurated in February and when commissioned will operate along a 240km route on the river Rhine between Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Duisburg, Germany; and two modules powering the Zulu06, which is set for operation on a 30km inland waterway route along the Seine in Paris, France.