Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services
Fuel Cell Integration Center (FCIC)
Fraunhofer CML plans, builds, and operates the MFBF as part of the H2AM project—the Hanseatic Hydrogen Center for Aviation and Maritime. The facility enables companies to test bunkering processes for alternative marine fuels under real-world port conditions.
At a glance:
| feature | details |
|---|---|
Name |
Fuel Cell Integration Center (FCIC) |
Location |
Port of Hamburg |
Operator |
Fraunhofer CML |
Parent Project |
H2AM |
Commissioning |
March 2025 |
Fuels |
Ammonia, liquid hydrogen (expansion: methanol and compressed hydrogen planned) |
Access |
Jetty for seaward access |
Special Feature |
The world’s first facility of its kind |
What does the MFBF do?
The MFBF is a full-scale testing and research facility for “bunkering”—the refueling of ships. The focus is on renewable, climate-friendly fuels that are intended to replace fossil-based marine fuels in the future. Unlike established fuels, ammonia and liquid hydrogen still require technological development in areas such as boil-off gas systems, pumps, and hoses. Furthermore, there are no standardized, safe bunkering processes for these alternative fuels—and this is precisely where the facility comes in.
Why was the MFBF built?
- To accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable marine fuels
- To give companies the opportunity to test their own products under real-world conditions, thereby reducing development time and costs
- To enable companies to utilize existing test infrastructure to reduce product development costs and time
- To support the development of safe, standardized bunkering protocols
- To support studies on the handling of ammonia and liquid hydrogen as fuels
What technical capabilities does the facility offer?
| Component | Capacity / Specifications |
|---|---|
| Ammonia tanks | 2× 105 m³ each |
| Liquid hydrogen tanks | 2× 65 m³ each |
| Pump Capacity | Flow rates up to 450 m³/h |
| Supplementary Supply | Nitrogen, propane |
| Test Areas | Jetty (seaside) and land-based areas |
| Environmental Simulation | Realistic simulation of tidal range and the marine environment |
| Expandability | Space available for methanol and compressed hydrogen |
What challenges does the facility address?
Handling ammonia and liquid hydrogen poses special challenges in terms of safety and technical equipment:
- Both fuels are explosive; ammonia is also toxic
- There is no comparable test facility anywhere in the world—processes and safety standards must be systematically tested for the first time
How can you use the MFBF?
Companies and research institutions can use the facility to:
- Test their own bunker system components under real-world port conditions
- Develop and validate new bunkering processes and protocols
- Accelerate product development and reduce testing costs
- Validate product data sheets through so-called performance tests
Contact for testing inquiries: M.Sc. Patrick Zimmerman, patrick.zimmerman@cml.fraunhofer.de
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What sets the MFBF apart from other test facilities? It is the world’s first facility to simulate the refueling of ships with ammonia and liquid hydrogen under real-world port conditions, including tidal ranges and the marine environment.
Which fuels can be tested? Currently, ammonia and liquid hydrogen. Expansions to include methanol and compressed hydrogen are already planned.
Where is the facility located? In the Port of Hamburg, with a jetty for access from the sea.
As part of which project was the MFBF developed? As part of H2AM – Hanseatic Hydrogen Centre for Aviation and Maritime, commissioned in March 2025.
Last updated: September 2026