State of the art of fuel cells for ship applications

Fuel cells promise to be far more efficient, produce lower or zero emissions, and operate cleaner than conventional internal-combustion engine and gas turbine. They are already used for transportation application (buses, cars and tramways). Fuel cells can also be an interesting solution for ships power. However the developments of fuel cell systems for ship are in infancy. The only exception is the PEMFC in the submarines. This solution allows obtaining an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which has been adopted in several countries. This paper presents a comprehensive review of different fuel cells and their application on ships. The pro and the cons of the use of fuel cell in ship application are discussed particularly in terms of lifetime and cost.