Neuman & Esser (NEA) Ltd., Hydrogen de France (HDF) Energy, and the German International Cooperation Society (GIZ) have signed a Letter of Intent to jointly explore hybrid hydrogen and battery-powered ferries for inter-island transport.
The initiative, launched during the H2Uppp Southeast Asia Conference on Green Hydrogen and Power-to-X in Bangkok, is part of a broader public-private partnership led by Indonesia’s National Energy Agency and supported by GIZ under the International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Programme (H2Uppp).
The planned feasibility study will assess both technical and financial viability, with the goal of creating a scalable, reliable model for maritime decarbonization. Indonesia’s recently released National Hydrogen Roadmap and Net Zero Emission Roadmap for the Energy Sector position hydrogen as a strategic fuel, but the hydrogen strategy for maritime transport is currently slated to begin only in 2030. Stakeholders, however, stress the urgency of early action to address the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels and the challenges posed by isolated energy grids in eastern Indonesia. The International Maritime Organization has expressed support, seeing the project as a potential blueprint for future pilot initiatives across Southeast Asia.
Despite being critical for national connectivity, many of Indonesia’s ferries operate on outdated, fossil-fuel-powered systems, contributing to emissions and operational inefficiencies. By coupling hydrogen fuel cells with battery storage, the project aims to reduce carbon intensity, improve energy reliability, and align with global maritime decarbonization trends.
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