CSSC Advances Green Shipping Leadership with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership and Research Vessel Deployment
China State Shipbuilding Corporation continues its dominance of world shipbuilding with strategic hydrogen energy partnerships and deployment of an advanced research vessel. CSSC entered into a marine fuel cell development agreement with REFIRE, and launched new hydrogen equipment products aiming for commercial mass production by 2027.
CSSC and REFIRE Unveil Marine Fuel Cell Development Initiative
On November 28, 2025, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and REFIRE entered into an official partnership agreement for joint development of marine fuel cell systems during their 2025 Hydrogen Energy Day event in Handan, Hebei. This collaboration brings together REFIRE's expertise with CSSC's shipbuilding capabilities for faster technological breakthroughs in green maritime propulsion.
The collaboration focuses on addressing key technical challenges associated with fuel cells in marine environments of high humidity and salt concentration, dynamic load response optimization and safety control systems. Both parties hope to complete development of the first 200kW marine fuel cell system prototype by 2026; real ship testing of commercial mass production units should begin shortly thereafter (2027 is planned). Engineering applications of hydrogen energy solutions across vessels types including bulk carriers, container ships and harbor tugs.
The 712 Research Institute, affiliated with CSSC, brings extensive hydrogen technology expertise to this partnership. They recently introduced a 500kW marine hydrogen fuel cell system in 2019 and contributed significantly to developing the Three Gorges Hydrogen Voyage 1, the world's first 500kW hydrogen-powered ship which completed its maiden voyage in 2023. In 2024 they secured an order to supply their fuel cell system on board a 7,000 horsepower hydrogen-electric tugboat at Qingdao Port.
Industry projections reveal that reaching 10 percent penetration for marine fuel cell systems across CSSC's existing orderbook would reduce ship carbon emissions by more than 2 million metric tons each year. China is projected to surpass 5 billion Yuan in marine fuel cell sales within 3-5 years, making hydrogen an indispensable technology path towards meeting International Maritime Organization goals for shipping decarbonization.
CSSC Launches Advanced Hydrogen Energy Equipment Products
On November 28, CSSC unveiled two hydrogen energy equipment products simultaneously at its Hydrogen Energy Day event: An Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer and 50 MPa Hydrogen Storage Cylinder Bundle Bundle for Refueling Stations. These product releases showcase CSSC's technical reserves across the entire hydrogen energy supply chain as well as reinforce its commitment to green shipping solutions through vertical integration.
Weilai Research Vessel Kicks Off Deep Sea Exploration Tests
China's latest multi-role research ship, Weilai (Future), has begun conducting technological tests on deep-sea exploration apparatus and environmental protection systems. Her voyage schedule has been booked up until 2027 primarily to support deep-sea exploration missions conducted jointly with CSSC Taihu Laboratory of Deepsea Technological Science which operates a joint venture between CSSC, Jiangsu province, and Wuxi city governments, in conducting apparatus testing conducted through Taihu Laboratory of Deepsea Technological Science which conducts apparatus testing jointly.
CSSC's Weilai ship stands as an icon of its advancements in maritime intelligence technology, with performance assessments conducted on environmental protection instruments and intelligent sensors aboard her. CSSC continues to enhance her with domestically developed devices to demonstrate their focus on technological innovation and self-sufficiency for advanced maritime systems.