Americas News
MARAD Announces Vessel Fuel Cell Technology Test
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Friday announced it is testing fuel cell technology for use as a power source for onboard electrical systems.
The "state-of-the-art, environmentally efficient technology" will be installed on board Training Ship Kennedy, which is part of the U.S. National Defense Reserve Fleet and currently used by the Massachusetts Maritime Administration for Cadet training.
The year-long test forms part of a MARAD initiative to determine how fuel cells can be used as a source of on board power.
"Researchers will evaluate the performance of the fuel cell technology and how low sulfur marine diesel fuel can be used to efficiently power a fuel cell to produce auxiliary power," said MARAD.
"Unlike using low sulfur fuel in diesel engine generators to provide electrical power, the system produces no harmful air emissions," continued MARAD.
Future application of fuel cells to the shipping industry was considered recently as part of the Fathom Spotlight series.
