The methanol-powered fuel cell system from MEYER WERFT's strategic partner Freudenberg e-Power Systems is the world's first of its kind to receive class approval.
The fuel cell system can now be used on ocean vessels and represents a major development step towards climate-friendly shipping and new maritime energy systems.
In 15+ years of work, MEYER Group has taken a number of development steps: In the Pa-X-ell & Pa-X-ell2 research projects, the company first developed the use of fuel cells at sea and their integration into a ship system. After trials with other partners, MEYER Group is working with Freudenberg e-Power Systems, which is keeping up with the high pace of development with its capacities.
Currently, MEYER WERFT is building Silversea' ship Silver Nova, which will be equipped with currently the largest fuel cell system on a cruise ship. Silver Nova will be able to run completely on the innovative system in port without the help of combustion engines.
Freudenberg e-Power Systems and MEYER WERFT are also working together on a Pa-X-ell2 research project, in which a fuel cell system is retrofitted onboard AIDA's ship AIDAnova.
MEYER WERFT and Freudenberg are planning further cooperation, not only on newbuilds but also on existing vessels. MEYER NEPTUN Engineering is developing complete retrofit solutions and is due to work more closely with Freudenberg e-Power Systems in a joint office to advance joint developments faster.
Global Design combines MEYER Group's development and design activities and is looking for further specialists/junior staff for future technologies. Also sought are architects for the product portfolio of MEYER Group with cruise and special vessels, MEYER Yachts, and MEYER Floating Solutions. In Global Design, MEYER Group engineers collaborate at a variety of locations across Europe and mostly digitally.
The development of fuel cell technology for shipping is a major building block for optimizing the ship system with its high efficiency/integration of decentralized energy systems. MEYER Group is currently working on the use of new fuels like regeneratively produced fuels including biogas, hydrogen, and methanol.