PowerCell, the world’s leading supplier of fuel cells for the marine market, has secured its first commercial order for its M2Power 250 system, marking a significant milestone in the maritime sector’s transition to sustainable energy. The order comes from a leading European shipyard, valued at SEK 150 Million, and includes a 2 MW installation of PowerCell’s innovative methanol to power technology.
The M2Power 250 system is PowerCell’s fully integrated methanol to power solution launched in late 2024. This innovative system converts methanol into clean electricity onboard, offering an efficient and low-emission alternative to traditional maritime power sources.
Delivering 250 kW of reliable and environmentally-friendly electricity, the M2Power 250 replaces traditional marine diesel generator sets and provides shipowners with a smooth transition to net-zero-emission maritime operations.
For smaller vessels on shorter routes – such as towboats, feeder ships and ferries – the fuel cell can act as the vessel’s primary propulsion system. As a result, these vessels can produce net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while using around 30% less methanol than an external combustion engine would.
For larger deep-sea ships such as container ships and cruise ships, the fuel cells can be used to power the auxiliary engines and any other onboard generators, which are often used to manoeuvre in ports or for electricity onboard. Freedom from fossil-fuelled generators allows a large ship fuelled by renewable methanol to produce net-zero GHG emissions throughout its operations, not only while out at sea.
The M2Power 250 system is designed with modularity and scalability in mind, offering tailored solutions for diverse vessel types. The system features a high-performance fuel cell stack optimised for marine applications, a methanol reformer for on-demand hydrogen production, and digital safety features that ensure resilience in line with industry standards.
By utilising reformed methanol and fuel cells to power auxiliary engines, the system also addresses the major issue of local air pollution in ports. Fuel cells using methanol reformer technology completely eliminate local emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM), offering a cleaner alternative to combustion-based systems.
The system is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and includes both engineering services and hardware supply. The order strengthens PowerCell’s position at the forefront of next-generation maritime energy solutions, supporting global decarbonisation goals and the industry’s broader transition to clean fuels.
Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, stated, “It’s exciting to see yet another innovative product creating real market value so soon after its launch. With the M2Power 250, we’re advancing PowerCell beyond just fuel cell electrification—streamlining integration for shipyards and system integrators, while accelerating hydrogen adoption in regions where its infrastructure is still evolving.”
“Fuel cells using methanol reformer technology represent a major step forward in clean energy. They are designed to drastically reduce local emissions compared to traditional internal combustion engines and the impact is felt immediately. According to the WHO, air pollution contributes to 7 million premature deaths annually, with maritime hubs among the most affected. Cutting these emissions helps prevent respiratory illness, protects communities near ports, and reduces public health costs. This isn’t just about reaching decarbonisation goals by 2040, it’s about saving lives and lowering societal costs today, as we make the transition to a fossil-free future.”
The M2Power 250 represents a significant step for PowerCell in delivering flexible, future-proof energy solutions for maritime sector, while also helping to pave the way for broader adoption of low-carbon technologies across hard-to-abate sectors.
