This page gives the key statistics of the developing hydrogen fueled fleet. The HydrogenShipbuilding database contains much more granular information available upon request.
Fleet size
The existing fleet sailing on hydrogen (16) is dominated by offshore vessels (e.g. Windcat with upgraded MAN engines) and inland ships (5) using compressed hydrogen stored in swappable containers with fuel cells for propulsion power. Three of these inland ships sail in the Netherlands.
Fleet development
As of today there are already hydrogen ships on order. Fleet development shows a rapid increase from 2025, which is a pivotal year for with 17 vessels entering operation. This influx is largely driven by the newbuilding series of Windcat (8) and Maris Fiducia (5). Both projects use hydrogen for auxiliary power generation. 2026 will see the arrival of the first seagoing vessels with multi-MW fuel cell installations for propulsion.
Hydrogen energy systems
Total amount of fuel cell energy systems in vessels delivered and on order in megawatt increases significantly from 2025. With the majority (30+ MW) of fuel cells delivered by Powercell due to their supply to Thorgatten Nord and the cruise vessels on order at Fincantieri.
Vessels related to CMB.Tech are not included in the overview since their use of upgraded MAN combustion engines on hydrogen.
Hydrogen storage capacity
The operational fleet is operating on compressed hydrogen except for two vessels on liquid. This ratio changes in the order book and proposed vessels. In the CH2 storage systems are either swappable containers or fixed tanks.
Obviously liquid hydrogen provides the storage capacity required for the larger vessels which start to be delivered from 2026. The arrival of these large LH2 storage systems is the necessary game-changer for the large hydrogen powered vessels.