Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services
Multi Fuel Bunkering Facility (MFBF)
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 |
Multi Fuel Bunkering Facility (MFBF) |
Location |
Port of Hamburg |
Operator |
Fraunhofer CML |
Umbrella Project |
H2AM - Hanseatic Hydrogen Center for Aviation and Maritime |
Project start |
March 2025 |
Commissioning |
2029 |
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 is the MFBF being built?
- Support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable marine fuels
- Enable companies to test and validate products under realistic port conditions
- Reduce development time and testing costs by providing existing test infrastructure
- Support the development of bunkering protocols
- Support research into safe 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 |
| Mass flow liquid hydrogen | 21,000 kg/h |
| Mass flow ammonia | 305,900 kg/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 as fuels for the maritime industry is technically challenging. The toxicity of ammonia and the cryogenic temperature of liquefied hydrogen require the development of new products, processes, and standards.
How can you use the MFBF?
Companies and research institutions can use the testing facility in collaboration with the Fraunhofer CML:
- Conduct research and develop standards and bunkering protocols
- Test and validate components, systems, and processes under realistic port conditions
- Accelerate product development by using existing test infrastructure
- Product certification/classification
- Training of crew/technical personnel in handling new fuels and bunkering procedures
Contact for testing inquiries: M.Sc. Patrick Zimmerman, patrick.zimmerman@cml.fraunhofer.de
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes the MFBF stand out among other test facilities? It is the world’s first facility to test products and processes for 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? 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, project start March 2025.
Last updated: September 2026