Shell to test hydrogen fuel cell ship in Singapore

London, (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - Energy major Shell said Wednesday it is to carry out a feasibility study for the use of hydrogen fuel cells in shipping in a first for the company.

If the trial yields positive results then it may "help pave the way for cleaner, hydrogen-powered shipping," the company said.

It added hydrogen with fuel cells may be the zero-emissions technology with the "greatest potential" to help the shipping sector achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The trial will develop and install an auxiliary power unit called a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) onto an existing roll-on/roll-off vessel that transports goods, vehicles and equipment on lorries between Singapore and Shell's Pulau Bukom refinery on a neighbouring island.

The company is working with shipbuilders SembCorp Marine Ltd and its business unit LMG Marin, which will design the fuel cell and retrofit the vessel.