Evaluating fuel cell power systems for coastal and inland waterway vessels: Technical and economic perspectives

With the growing demand for sustainable shipping solutions, alternative energy sources and environmental protection technologies have become key areas of research. This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility of using hydrogen and ammonia fuels in fuel cell power systems for coastal and inland waterway vessels. Three system boundary frameworks were developed: one powered by a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using hydrogen, another by a solid oxide fuel cell using ammonia, and a comparative system using a traditional two-stroke diesel engine. A model of a fuel cell power system for coastal and inland waterway routes was developed for the “Han Hai V” container mother ship, considering operational conditions such as docking times, cargo space loss, and load variations on different routes. The model testing was set between Dalian Port and Yantai Port for coastal routes, and between Wuhan Port and Shanghai Port for inland routes. A comprehensive quantitative analysis of fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic benefits over the vessel’s lifespan was conducted. The results indicate that the new power system cases can reduce emissions by a maximum of 51.6 million tons on coastal routes and 116 million tons on inland routes. While hydrogen and diesel-powered systems show greater economic benefits in shorter routes, the economic gap between ammonia and these fuels narrows with increasing distances, highlighting ammonia’s potential for long-haul applications.