Green Ships, Ship Concepts & Projects: Ferries

Explore the innovative ferry concepts of the world, and the actors driving them!

Ferries

HYKE

Their zero-emission smart city ferries will revitalize urban waterborne transport, reducing urban emissions and inner-city congestion and supporting the green transition for sustainable cities of the future. The first one will be launched and in operation early 2023.

Europa Seaways

A group of companies have partnered up to develop a 100% hydrogen-powered ferry for DFDS’ Oslo – Frederikshavn – Copenhagen route. The ferry will be powered by electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell system that emits only water and can produce up to 23 MW to propel the ferry. The ferry that has the working name Europa Seaways, is designed for 1,800 passengers and has a capacity for 120 lorries or 380 cars.

The partnership committed to achieving this includes DFDS (shipowner), ABB, Ballard Power Systems Europe, Hexagon Purus (power solutions providers), Lloyd’s Register, KNUD E. HANSEN, Ørsted and Danish Ship Finance.

Ellen

Ellen was developed under E-Ferry, an EU-backed project. Ellen is able to draw the necessary power very quickly before the next trip starts, thus maintaining the high frequency that passengers demand.

The E-ferry project is an EU Horizon 2020 supported development project, which aims to design, build and demonstrate a 100% electrically powered passenger and car ferry with a significantly increased range compared to previous electric ferries. The project was officially completed on May 27, 2020.

Waterbus 2907 E3 Full electric

The Damen Waterbus 2907 E3 built by Damen Shipyard, which is 100% electric, can be customised in many ways. Customers can specify passenger capacity, bicycle and cargo space, entertainment, top speeds, climate control options, different colours and liveries, advertising and more. The fully-engineered composite structure embodies years of operational experience and testing, resulting in a strong and lightweight hull and superstructure.

MS Medstraum

The vessel has been built using unique modular manufacturing methods at the Norwegian shipyard, Fjellstrand. Modularisation helps cut both production costs and engineering costs and will contribute to making electric-powered high-speed vessels competitive in terms of both cost and the environment. Medstraum will vastly improve the carbon footprint of its owners, Kolumbus, a public transport company.

Project partners: Maritime CleanTech (initiator of the project), Kolumbus (shipowner), Rogaland County Council, Fjellstrand (shipbuilder), Leirvik, Hydro, Servogear, Wärtsilä, HSVA, University of Strathclyde, National Technical University of Athens, Fraunhofer IEM and Uber Boat.

CIT-E

Torqeedo’s Deep Blue drive system is the heart of Fassmer’s CIT-E Ferry. Twin steerable thrusters deliver continuous power of 100 kW (peak power of 130 kW) and rotate up to 360 degrees, making the CIT-E Ferry easy to manoeuvre even in the narrowest urban waterways.

In order to bring to life the CIT-E concept, Germany’s boat builder Fassmer Shipyard and compatriot electric drive system provider Torqeedo have established a partnership. Fassmer Shipyard is the shipbuilder, whereas Torqeedo is a solutions provider to make this ferry a true zero-emissions vessel.

Alcatraz Clipper

The Alcatraz Cruises Hybrid Ferry Fleet has redefined the profile of vessels on San Francisco Bay. As the nation’s first hybrid passenger ferry service, the fleet’s mission is far more important than its appearance. Alcatraz Clipper can operate on propulsion batteries alone for over an hour, providing a silent cruise around San Francisco Bay and leading the way in environmentally-friendly vessels and reduction in carbon footprint.

Project partners: Alcatraz Cruises (shipowner), Corvus Energy (ZEM solution provider), Bay Ship & Yacht (shipbuilder).

AMPERE

MV Ampere is the world's first battery electric car ferry, developed and built in Norway. Its development was the result of a competition, launched by the country's Ministry of Transport and Communications in 2011, to develop an environmentally friendly ferry service between the two villages.

Project partners: Norled (shipowner), Fjellstrand (shipbuilder), Corvus Energy and Siemens (ZEM solution providers)

Elvy

Two battery packs (each 504 kWh) of our DNV-GL approved Green Orca 1050 are installed. Elvy is ready for operation and will sail on the Göta River, transferring passengers in ultimate comfort of silence through the canals of Gothenburg. Elvy is Västtrafik’s first electric-powered ferry and is able to run on electricity for about four hours.

Project partners: Tyovene (shipbuilder), EST-Floattech (battery solutions provider)

Eloise

Built by Finnish shipyard Tyovene, the double-ended Eloise belongs to a series of four ferries that includes two diesel-electric vessels and two battery-powered vessels. Although Eloise is a near identical sister of the earlier Vasttrafik-owned ferry Elvy, the newer ferry boasts a 25 per cent greater battery capacity to ensure a greater number of trips in one day.

Project partners: Tyovene (shipbuilder), EST-Floattech (battery solutions provider)

EF-24 Passenger

The EF-24 Passenger ferry provides a cost-effective public transport solution that helps address air pollution, congestion, and noise. A game-changing solution that encourages multimodal transport in urban areas, enabling cities around the world to utilise and benefit from the untapped potential of their waterways.

Owner: Artemis Technologies

Sea Change

SWITCH’s flagship zero-emissions vessel, the Sea Change, is a 75-passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.

The vessel is substantially complete and entering operational sea trials at All American Marine (shipbuilder) shipyard in Bellingham, WA. In addition, AAM is partnering up to help SWITCH Maritime to build its first fleet of zero-emissions vessels in North America.

MobyFly 30

MobyFly zero-emission hydrofoil boats will be capable of transporting passengers in comfort at speeds in excess of 70km/h while using 70% less energy than existing diesel ferries — and without creating any waves or pollution in the process.

Project owner: MobyFly

Foiling Fast Ferry

An ultra-efficient and low wake vessel requiring less than half the installed power of a typical passenger catamaran. Bieker Boats have achieved this by combining proven hydrofoil technology developed in America’s Cup, lightweight carbon fiber hull construction, and modern geared propulsion equipment.

Bieker Boats and Glosten have joined forces to bring modern composite hydrofoil technology to the passenger vessel community.

MF Dragsvik

MF Dragsvik is one of three identical all-electric ferries operated and owned by Norled.

Project partners: Norled (shipowner), Corvus Energy (ZEM solutions provider), SembCorp Marine Integrated Yard (shipbuilder)

Bastø Electric

Bastø Electric is the first of three battery-powered ferries operated by the shipping company Bastø Fosen to enter Norwegian waters with more in the making in Turkey.

Built by the Turkish Sefine Shipyard and has room for 600 passengers and 200 cars or 24 trucks. The battery and fast-charging systems for the ferry are supplied by Siemens Energy from the battery factory in Trondheim.

Other Zero Emission Shipping Related Lists:

We have mapped the Zero Emission Shipping ecosystem and ZEM Solutions for four categories vessel categories. Check out the rest of Zero Emission Shipping actors and technologies below!

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