Hypermotive attend Marine Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference in Bergen

We are proud to be amongst great company as sponsors for the Riviera Maritime Media Ltd Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference this week in the beautiful city of Bergen

Out CTO, Jeremy Bowman will shortly be taking the stage to present “the case for hydrogen and fuel cells in marine applications” to kick of this afternoon’s session on day 1 of the event.

Do come and say hello to Jeremy and Oliver Needham who can be found at our booth throughout the 3 days of the conference – they’d love to talk hydrogen, fuel cells, electrification and all things sustainable power and propulsion technologies. Presentations during session 3 revealed a maturing hydrogen maritime sector, with projects moving from concept to operation while addressing common challenges in infrastructure development, regulatory compliance and commercial viability. The diversity of approaches – from hybrid solutions to full hydrogen implementation – denote an industry actively exploring multiple pathways to zero-emission shipping.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Presentations included:

Jeremy Bowman (Hypermotive) presented critical insights on fuel cell integration, emphasising the balance between efficiency, maintainability and reliability in marine applications. His discussion of the XM1 fuel cell system highlighted the adaptation of automotive technologies for maritime use, addressing both technical and regulatory challenges.

Stig Antonsen detailed the MS Skulebas project, demonstrating the evolution from conventional diesel-electric power to zero-emission capability. The project showcases successful collaboration between technology providers Corvus Energy, Hexagon and Norwegian Hydrogen, with plans to save 35,000 litres of fuel annually through hydrogen integration.

Jahn Helge Bjørnestad (Napier) presented an innovative approach to advanced harvest vessels, securing Enova funding for hydrogen-powered vessels while emphasising the importance of comprehensive value chain development and risk-sharing among stakeholders.

Quint Vedder (Maris Fiducia) outlined a strategic approach to zero-emission shipping, focusing on hybrid vessels in the Baltic region as a stepping stone to full hydrogen implementation. The model emphasises practical deployment using pre-approved components while maintaining commercial viability.

Elias Van Sickle (SWITCH Maritime LLC) shared operational insights from the company’s Sea Change ferry in San Francisco, highlighting key learnings in regulatory approval, fueling infrastructure and crew training. Their expansion plans for 150 and 300-passenger vessels demonstrate growing confidence in hydrogen technology deployment.