Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Europe (TME), which oversees Toyota's European operations, have applied fuel cell technology to ships for the first time. They developed an FC system for the "Energy Observer," a French vessel aiming for a circumnavigation powered by renewable energy.

At the end of 2019, Toyota conducted onboard testing of the fuel cell (FC) system on the "Energy Observer" while it was docked. With the vessel's departure for its 2020 tour approaching, final sea trials are currently underway. Toyota aims to explore the potential for replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy through these maritime demonstrations, while also pursuing solutions for the efficient and large-scale use of renewable energy for the future.

The FC system for marine use, applied here for the first time, was developed as a compact unit for ships, utilizing components from Toyota's "Mirai" fuel cell vehicle. It has become the world's first self-sufficient energy vessel powered by fuel cells that run on hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, as well as from seawater.

TME completed the redesign of the marine FC system, component fabrication, development of the compact FC system, and its installation on the ship in seven months. Compared to the previous "Energy Observer," the new system offers higher output and efficiency.

Beyond cars and ships, FC systems are increasingly being applied to buses and trucks in recent years. Toyota views the adoption of FC technology in maritime applications as a further step towards realizing a hydrogen-based society.