By Dave Lee, Executive Director, e1 Marine     The U.S. maritime sector is under growing pressure to reduce emissions in ports. State-level regulations are tightening. Public awareness of environmental impacts is increasing, and coastal communities - home to millions affected by air pollution - are demanding cleaner, more sustainable solutions.     Furthermore, regulatory measures like the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) At-Berth Regulation and the European Commission’s Green Deal signal a global commitment to port decarbonization. Yet, achieving this transition remains a logistical, financial, and technical challenge.    The limitations of traditiona l shoreside power   Cold ironing - a process where ships connect to the local electrical grid while docked - has been promoted as a solution to cut emissions. Although this approach is effective in theory, many U.S. ports lack the necessary electrical capacity or face grid reliability issues.     Additionally, installation costs and business case concerns limit adoption. The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has identified infrastructure costs and insufficient grid capacity as major barriers. Even where shore power is available, the cost of plugging in remains too high for many ship operators.     Traditional shoreside power alone cannot meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. An alternative is needed - one that is scalable, cost-effective, and immediately deployable.    A new approach: methanol-to-hydrogen for shoreside power   At e1 Marine, we believe in finding pragmatic solutions that address today’s challenges while laying the groundwork for a cleaner future. Methanol-to-hydrogen power generation offers ports a flexible, resilient alternative to diesel-powered auxiliary engines without requiring extensive grid upgrades.     This solution offers a highly effective way to deliver shore power for hotel loads on vessels up to 2,000 GT and facilitates in-port applications such as hybrid cranes and drayage equipment. By deploying e1 Marine’s modular, containerized power systems, ports can reduce grid strain and ensure that their available electrical capacity meets the demand for megawatt shore power, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.     Methanol serves as an efficient hydrogen carrier, addressing storage and transport challenges that have slowed hydrogen adoption. Instead of relying on external hydrogen supplies, e1 Marine’s system generates fuel-cell-grade hydrogen on demand, reducing the need for high-pressure storage and costly distribution networks.    With methanol available at over 125 ports worldwide, e1 Marine’s on-site hydrogen generation system produces clean hydrogen with only water vapor and heat as byproducts. Compared to diesel engines, this process cuts EPA-regulated emissions by 99%, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO), dramatically improving air quality in ports.     Depending on the feedstock, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by 10-27% with grey methanol, 50% with a green/grey blend, and up to 85% with green methanol.    Regulatory engagement and standardization    As with many emerging technologies, new standards must evolve alongside innovation. Significant advances have been made, but it is still a work in progress. For example, over the past 18 months, e1 Marine has worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop a regulatory framework for vessels using methanol reforming technology with fuel cells and batteries. This led to the approval of a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) - a crucial milestone for integrating methanol-to-hydrogen technology into commercial operations.    e1 Marine is also collaborating with class societies to develop and then meet safety and performance standards. Essentially innovators are working with stakeholders to write new frameworks to help create the future scalability of solutions.      However, a key barrier to adoption remains the lack of uniform standards for system integration. Shore power solutions must align with regional regulatory differences, voltage requirements, and operational demands. e1 Marine’s modular, scalable system is designed to be utilized across various vessel types and port conditions, offering a practical, adaptable approach while broader power-systems infrastructure is still in development across ports.    Driving the transition    At e1 Marine, we’re not just discussing solutions, we’re implementing them. Our partnership with STAX Engineering, funded by CARB and South Coast AQMD, exemplifies how collaboration can drive meaningful change. This project involves integrating methanol-to-hydrogen technology with STAX’s emissions capture and control systems, providing a model for ports seeking new ways to power operations and reduce emissions.    This shift is about more than compliance. Ports need power solutions that are sustainable, resilient to fluctuating grid capacity, and adaptable to extreme weather conditions. By enabling ports to deploy scalable, containerized power solutions without overhauling infrastructure, e1 Marine is driving the transition to cleaner shoreside operations.    The time to act is now. The operational jigsaw is taking shape, but progress depends on collaboration and rethinking traditional approaches to implementing innovations. By working together, ports, regulators, and industry stakeholders can build a smarter, more sustainable maritime future, one where ports lead the way in cleaner operations.

As passenger vessel traffic increases and new electrified vessels come into service, the demand for reliable shore power grows, pressuring ports to expand infrastructure while reducing emissions. The EU mandates that by 2030, all container and passenger ships over 5,000 gt must connect to shore power at Trans-European Transport Network ports. However, scaling grid-based shore power systems to meet energy demands is challenging due to high costs and grid capacity limitations. Large passenger vessels require significant power while docked, straining the system. Smaller vessels, with more modest power needs, can benefit from alternative solutions like methanol-to-hydrogen reforming. This technology generates hydrogen onsite, reducing emissions without relying on the grid. It offers a practical solution for smaller vessels and can be used as a containerized shore power system or installed onboard. Methanol-to-hydrogen reformers eliminate 99% of EPA-regulated pollutants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% with green methanol. This approach can ease grid demand and optimize shore power use, but policy needs to support flexible, modular solutions for smaller vessels. The maritime industry must adopt scalable alternatives quickly to meet decarbonization targets by 2030. Read more at Scaleable Shore Power for Passenger Vessels

Hydrogen Generator The Methanol to Hydrogen fuel delivery solution for luxury marine vessels and work boats. Produces high purity Hydrogen at pressures up to 2 Barg Can support up to 10 kW fuel cells Low vibration, no noise, no pollution Small size allows easy fitting and discrete positioning Click Here to View and Download the Latest Specification Sheets

Read how e1 Marine's use of PEM fuel cell technology is helping to promote sustainable and efficient inland waterway transportation with alternative fuels. Revolutionizing the towboat sector e1 Marine’s use of methanol for onboard, on-demand generation of hydrogen for PEM fuel cells solves the challenges of decarbonizing the marine towboat sector. READ MORE Inland Waterways Vessel Dimensions Length Overall: 100’ Design Draft: 9’ Beam Maximum: 43’ Hull Depth Amidships: 11’ Performance Design Speed: 10mph / 7 mph pushing Horsepower: 1,700 to 3,500 Range: 550 miles Duration: 4 days at 6 mph Power & Propulsion Hydrogen Reformers: e1 Marine Thrusters: (2) BERG MTA417 Electric L Drive Fuel Cells: PowerCell PS185 Diesel Generator: Cummins QSM-DM 225 kW Batteries: Corvus Lithium Ion Note: No Shore Power required Capacities Methanol Fuel: Specifications upon request Total Berths: 9 (3 private / 3 double) Water Fuel: Specifications upon request Fresh Water: 7,000 GAL Hydrogen Reserve: Specifications upon request Wash Water: 5,000 GAL Battery Capacity: Specifications upon request Sewage: 5,000 GAL Hydrogen power for the marine sector: onsite, onboard and on-demand. Learn more about how hydrogen power can work for you. CONTACT US It’s becoming increasingly clear that hydrogen is going to be the preferred future fuel for shipping, and methanol is the best way to deliver it onboard, safely and efficiently. Methanol offers both immediate solutions and long-term benefits as the feed stock of choice. It can be easily stored and transported – and combined with water on-the-go to increase its hydrogen producing capacity even further. Hydrogen produced by onboard reformation of methanol and water can enable shipowners to stay ahead of the future requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and to take advantage of future decarbonisation technologies as they mature. On-board hydrogen generation for fuel cells – providing main propulsion power in a safe, economic and environmentally friendly manner. Hydrogen – the way of the future for inland waterway vessels e1 Marine’s proprietary technology produces hydrogen at the point of consumption, eliminating the logistical challenges and costs of storing and transporting compressed hydrogen. The fuel grade hydrogen meets ISO 14687 (2019) Purity Standards, and the technology presents compelling environmental and cost-saving advantages: Low Carbon – An immediate solution to reduce emissions: no particulate matter, zero NOx, Sox and PM emissions, as well as CO2 reduction of 23% compared with diesel Versatility – highly scalable to increase the vessel range beyond the limits of stored compressed hydrogen.  Efficiency – the methanol reformer is up to 84% efficient, with reduced noise (80 dB), and integrates easily with all PEM fuel cell systems Reliable and compact: Few moving parts, low maintenance, reduced space and weight maximizes vessel hold capacity. READ MORE e1 Marine’s Mobile Methanol to Hydrogen Generator Decarbonizing inland waterways Some of the historic challenges with alternative power sources include batteries only being suitable if you operate on fixed routes and can recharge daily, and a towboat’s limited storage capacity restricts the use of pressurised or cryogenically stored gases as fuels. There are also very few dockside facilities to load such marine fuels, which severely constrains a vessel’s range and functionality. Producing hydrogen on board to supply PEM fuel cells for electric main propulsion changes all that. Methanol reformer hydrogen-powered tow boat. MV Hydrogen One is a tow vessel development prototype designed by e1 Marine and Elliott Bay Design Group. It has been built for operation and testing in the Gulf of Mexico Intracoastal Waterways with two barge (unit 2) towing capability. The vessel requires max power at 90% of running time, operating 24 hours a day with a fuel range of up to 4 days. Refuel safely and conveniently virtually anywhere 1,400 hp continuous fuel cell only Battery boost provides 30+ minutes at 2,000 hp Scalable powerplant within specified vessel dimension Horsepower can be increased up to 3,500 with proportionate increase in vessel length 12+ hours dockside with zero emission and no shore power connection L-drive propulsion for optimal manoeuvrability Powertrain Summary Main propulsion 2,000 hp From twin propulsors of 1,000 hp each Onboard hydrogen generators: Ten e1 Marine M18 Hydrogen Generators Fuel Cell Power: Ten PowerCell PS185 fuel cell power modules MV Hydrogen One M/V Hydrogen One – the world’s first hydrogen powered towboat The world’s first methanol fueled towboat is set to join the fleet of Metairie, La.-based Maritime Partners LLC to meet the pressing demand for sustainable towboat operations. The vessel, the M/V Hydrogen One, will be IMO 2030 compliant, meet the USCG’s Subchapter M requirements, and have an operational range of 550 miles before refueling. Maritime Partners, in cooperation with Elliott Bay Design Group, and CL Marine, are developing it.

e1 Marine's cutting edge marine hydrogen generators, generate hydrogen from methanol onboard and on-demand and are clean, efficient, & cost-effective. e1 Marine Technology Solving the ‘Hydrogen Challenge’ Through e1 Marine’s patented hydrogen generation technology, fuel cell-grade hydrogen is safely and cost-effectively generated from methanol and water. It can be delivered on-site, onboard, and on-demand, and it provides an immediately viable pathway to green energy. READ MORE Hydrogen Fuel Challenges As a liquid or compressed gas, hydrogen fuel has always been challenging and expensive to transport and bunker. The bulky hydrogen tanks required in order to provide adequate safety measures and range would compromise that vessel's cargo volume. Moreover, high-pressure tanks built from exotic materials are expensive to manufacture and maintain, and they have a short lifespan. Methanol and e1 Marine technology Methanol is a game-changer for Hydrogen generation – due to its ready availability, low cost, Hydrogen density, environmental friendliness, and ease of transport and storage. e1 Marine’s hydrogen generation technology uses methanol as the primary input fuel. It is simple to access, store, and transport. As a highly efficient fuel, it provides a clear pathway to a future of carbon-neutral transport via bio-methanol and e-methanol. When we combine Methanol with water, which can be sourced from the water a vessel sails in, we significantly increase the available hydrogen content. We process this combined feedstock through our reformation process and patented purification technology to produce fuel cell grade Hydrogen with >99.97 purity. There is no need for specialized high-pressure storage tanks – we produce just the right amount of Hydrogen at the time of need and feed it via our buffer thanks directly into a Fuel Cell. This can be done when and where it’s needed: on land or onboard. Once running, the hydrogen generator creates its own heat energy, and when paired with a PEM fuel cell, can produce clean, efficient, and reliable electrical power scaling to multi-megawatts creating a far more efficient operating range for the vessel. Enriched Methanol - Hydrogen (blue), Oxygen (yellow), Carbon (red) Meeting the carbon reduction objectives By using a combination of renewable, regenerative methanol and water to both store and generate hydrogen fuel on demand, the maritime sector can now achieve the mandated carbon reduction objectives. e1 Marine’s groundbreaking technology offers hydrogen as a low cost, immediate, and scalable alternative fuel solution to help the maritime industry achieve its carbon reduction targets and support the overall global effort towards international climate change objectives. Hydrogen power for the marine sector: onsite, onboard and on-demand. For a more in-depth discussion around your operation and business objectives, contact us today. CONTACT US No NOx, SOx or PM Emissions e1 Marine’s proprietary technology produces hydrogen on-demand at the point of consumption, eliminating the logistical challenges and costs involved in distributing compressed hydrogen – with no NOx, SOx, or PM emissions. Environmentally friendly vessels and operations Carbon emission reduction is a global priority. By utilizing methanol to hydrogen to drive fuel cells for marine propulsion and electricity production we can help move the world away from carbon-based fuels. Our technology provides an alternative pathway for green energy, independent of electrical input. Methanol is already distributed globally and is a clean, efficient, and safe marine fuel offering immediate carbon reduction benefits. Renewable methanol is already available in modest quantities with much larger scale on the planning table. Our mandated carbon reduction goals are now within reach. The ultimate goal is to utilize green bio-methanol as the feedstock for green hydrogen production to achieve zero-carbon shipping, with full IMO 2020 compliance. The output hydrogen from e1 Marine generators has been processed through our proprietary purification technology to produce fuel cell grade hydrogen at greater than 99.97% purity. This makes our hydrogen compatible with all marine PEM fuel cells. We work with a range of the world’s top fuel cell producers – and our output hydrogen is of such high purity that we can work with virtually any partner you select. Low cost, high flexibility. Fuel Cell Compatibility Easily stored Easy and safe to store and transport as a liquid. So there’s zero high-pressure hydrogen transport, or storage is required. Hydrogen-rich Highly efficient with the highest hydrogen to carbon ratio of liquid fuels. Eco-friendly Providing a pathway to carbon-neutral compliance with bio-methanol. Accessible Immediately and readily available worldwide in more than 85% of the world’s biggest ports and it’s an approved fuel type. Why use methanol to produce hydrogen? As an extremely effective hydrogen carrier, methanol is: High performing Methanol’s high hydrogen fuel density solves the challenges of limited range. Increasing in Supply Increasing global capacity is forecast to increase from ~153 mtpa in 2020 to 311 mtpa in 2030. Easily Integrated No specialist tanks are required (can use existing fuel tanks) so low-cost of conversion and liquid fuel storage onboard. Economical Offers a low-cost source of hydrogen with e1 Marine technology. How e1 Marine produces hydrogen on-demand & on the go The process begins by mixing water with methanol to create the feedstock. The feedstock is pumped into a heat exchanger to cool the product hydrogen, preheat the feedstock, and obtain optimal thermal efficiency for the generator. The pre-heated feedstock then flows into the reactor ‘hot box’, where it is converted into a vapor. It is then directed into a catalytic reactor to convert the feedstock into a syngas, a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The final step is hydrogen purification using e1 Marine’s proprietary membrane purifier, the heart of the system, and a process that separates the hydrogen from the syngas. The membrane-based purification module is at the core of e1 Marine’s protected intellectual property and represents a significant advancement in scalable, reliable, and affordable hydrogen purification. The fuel-grade hydrogen output meets all relevant ISO standards, and it’s ideal for use with fuel cells to generate electricity or to supplement the standard fuel of a conventional engine. The small amount of remaining hydrogen-depleted gas from the purifier is directed back to the reactor and combusted to generate the heat for the steam reforming reaction. No additional or supplementary fuel is required to generate heat for the reaction. Exhaust from the raffinate combustion is sent to the atmosphere, and the only new emissions produced by the hydrogen generator are carbon dioxide and water vapor. System efficiency of up to 84% can be achieved by the e1 Marine Hydrogen Generator. The process is robust in design with very few moving parts, requires minimal maintenance, and offers outstanding longevity.

e1 Marine's methanol to hydrogen generation technology drives the energy transition in shipping. Learn more about our sustainable and innovative solutions here. Latest News e1 Marine Drives Hydrogen Innovation in Maritime Feb 20 Reflections on AAPA 2024: Advancing sustainable port operations News Jan 15 e1 Marine Features in ‘The 150 Most Innovative Companies in Maritime 2024’ Report by Thetius News Nov 26, 2024 e1 Marine and STAX Engineering Partner on Innovative Barge-Based Emission Capture and Control Project News Nov 11, 2024 e1 Marine Acquisition Provides New Opportunities for Cleaner Fuel News Jul 1, 2024 The Modernization of Port Infrastructure as a Leading Indicator of International Methanol Adoption News Jun 19, 2024 Element 1 Corp and Ballard Power Systems Collaborate on Revolutionary Hydrogen Power Solutions May 29, 2024 Navigating Toward a Greener Future: Maritime Partners' Hydrogen-Powered Vessel Takes Shape News May 6, 2024 Solving the sustainable shoreside power challenge Articles Oct 31, 2023 VIEW ALL Hydrogen power for the marine sector: onsite, onboard and on-demand. Learn more about how hydrogen power can work for you. CONTACT US The IMO has set mandatory legislation demanding global marine reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030, and 70% by 2050, and an overall GHG emission reduction of 50% by 2050. Fuel cell power running on hydrogen is widely accepted as the optimal solution to reducing GHG, but this is only viable if the marine industry can overcome the supply, cost, transport, storage, and refueling challenges of providing hydrogen to the vessel. The problem: Reducing Maritime Carbon Emissions Hydrogen power for the marine sector: Onsite, onboard and on-demand. READ MORE e1 Marine provides clean energy technologies, including advanced methanol to hydrogen generation products supporting the fuel cell industry. Our ground-breaking technology enables maritime operators to generate fuel-cell grade hydrogen onboard, or onsite, efficiently and safely – whenever and wherever they need it. By connecting our methanol to hydrogen generators with fuel cell power solutions, e1 Marine unlocks your energy transition. e1 Marine – the pathway to decarbonization. e1 Marine Methanol to Hydrogen Generator Scalable, mobile, and standalone hydrogen generation. The e1 Marine methanol to hydrogen generator and patented membrane purifier unlocks the hydrogen – when it is needed, where it is needed. No need for high-volume electrical power. Once running, a standard hydrogen fuel cell running on e1 Marine hydrogen produces its own electrical power – creating a far more efficient operating range for the vessel. READ MORE e1 Marine Enabling Regulatory Compliance Today's maritime applications demand durable, high-performance, and compact systems. e1 Marine is leading the way to dramatically cut the carbon intensity of marine power for ships in our inland waterways, at sea, or at berth. This is an immediately viable alternative to fossil fuels, helping the maritime industry achieve low to no pollution and carbon targets, supporting global efforts towards international climate change legislation. READ MORE MV Hydrogen One The world’s first methanol to hydrogen fuel cell towboat. The MV Hydrogen One is set to join the Maritime Partners fleet in 2025 to meet the pressing demand for sustainable towboat operations. The vessel will be IMO 2030 compliant, meet the USCG’s Subchapter M requirements, and have an operational range of 550 miles before refueling. READ MORE e1 Marine hydrogen generator products are easily integrated with advanced marine fuel cell power solutions. They are adaptable for use in stationary power applications in ports and terminals, including cold ironing, reefers, and backup power; and onboard the vessel for inland waterways, near sea, and open sea vessels including primary propulsion and auxiliary power systems. Applications Today's maritime applications demand durable, high-performance, and compact systems. Hydrogen at work - safe storage and safe transport. Readily available worldwide, methanol offers far greater hydrogen density for safer, cheaper storage than high-pressure fuel-grade hydrogen. There is no need for expensive, dangerous, high-pressure hydrogen transportation and bunkering. Onboard hydrogen can now be generated using methanol mixed with water - sourced from the very water the vessel sails in. READ MORE Technology Methanol as a Marine fuel Methanol at work – safe storage, safe transport, renewable future. Methanol is an ideal marine transportation fuel. It has a high energy density and is widely available in ports globally. Handling methanol utilizes familiar fuel logistics and safety protocols, and methanol offers safer and cheaper fuel storage than compressed hydrogen. There is no need for expensive, dangerous, high-pressure hydrogen transportation and bunkering. Onboard hydrogen can now be generated using methanol mixed with water – sourced from the very water the vessel sails in. Methanol enriched with water has up to six times the energy density of compressed hydrogen, providing fuel cell power solutions with significantly reduced cost, increased safety, efficiency, and operational range. Methanol has a renewable zero-emission future, just like renewable hydrogen and RNG. Fuel cells are the most energy-efficient device available for extracting power from fuels. The fuel cell is maximally efficient at 60%, thus 37% more efficient than a diesel engine. A fuel cell will directly convert the chemical energy in hydrogen to electricity, with pure water and potentially useful heat as the only byproducts. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are not only pollution-free, but they can also have more than two times the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies. Marine class fuel cells provide clean zero-emission power with up to a multi-megawatt scale for both prime propulsion and auxiliary power applications. Fuel cells offer marine operators power solutions that meet IMO guidelines – right now. Fuel Cell Power: Clean Zero-Emission Power – (Solves the IMO problem) The missing link to fuel cell power adoption. Hydrogen is challenging and expensive to deliver and store on a ship. It is also difficult, or impossible, to achieve acceptable vessel range from liquified or compressed hydrogen due to onboard storage requirements. These challenges mean that marine operators are facing significant economic, technical, logistical, and range hurdles to introducing hydrogen and fuel cell power technology to their fleet. e1 Marine can solve these challenges. Our methanol to hydrogen generator products are simple, robust, and cost-effective and produce pure fuel cell grade hydrogen anywhere you need it, in real-time, as required by the marine fuel cell power solution. No expensive and volume-intensive high-pressure hydrogen storage is required on the vessel, and the ship is able to achieve target mission ranges before refueling. Solving “The Hydrogen Challenge” for Maritime Applications