In November 2023, Maria Gallucci at Canary Media reported about the “first hydrogen-fueled ferry” operating in San Francisco. Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Switch Maritime recently launched its Sea Change hydrogen-powered vessel. The shipbuilding startup plans to expand its ferry-building efforts after raising $10 million in Series A funding through Nexus Development Capital.
The Sea Change has two 300 kW motors, 360 kW of PEM fuel cells, and 100 kWh of lithium-ion batteries. Around 240 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen are placed on the top deck, which is sent to the propulsion system for an emission-free ride. The only waste is heat and water vapor.
The vessel can carry up to 75 passengers, and Switch Maritime also has a 150-person and 350-person model in the works.
It’s unclear where these will launch, but based on images on their website, high-density urban centers like the New York City metro area seem to be potential landing spots.
The California Air Resources Board and Zero Emissions Industries — which specializes in maritime technology and created the hydrogen gas system for the Sea Change — were some of the driving partners to get the boat built. The Golden State is looking to decarbonize its transportation systems and already has policies for electric vehicle adoption. Water-based travel is trickier since propulsion needs more power. However, diesel-powered ferries account for 11% of California’s total commercial harbor craft fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions.
Photo Courtesy Switch Maritime
The American ferry system emits harmful nitrogen oxide and PM2.5 matter, yet it’s a necessity for many coastal and water-bound towns. The Bay Area, with its many cities along the coastline, is a great example. Head north toward Seattle, and it becomes clear some communities cannot live without a robust ferry system.
Washington State has the largest ferry system in the continental U.S. In August 2023, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced it awarded a contract to shipbuilding firm Vigor.
The company bid $150 million to convert three Jumbo Mark II-class vessels to hybrid electric power. This project was in addition to Washington State Ferries (WSF) retrofitting six diesel vessels to hybrid power, building 16 new ferries while retiring 13 old ones, and adding more charging ports.
“This contract is a big step toward providing our ferry-served communities with better air quality and more sustainable service,” Matt von Ruden, system electrification program administrator, said in a press release. “We’re tackling the biggest emitters in our fleet first, the Jumbo Mark IIs, which contribute 26% of our ferries’ greenhouse gas emissions. When our terminals are electrified in 2026, we expect emissions from these three vessels to drop by roughly 95%.”
WSDOT wants to decarbonize its fleet by 2050, but getting there will be a process. The ferry system serves tens of millions annually, though ridership has dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic — from 2018 to 2022, riders fell from 24.7 million to 17.4 million.
According to Axios, the WSF is the “biggest polluter among the state’s agencies.” In 2019, more than 180,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions were released, and around 19 million gallons of diesel were burned annually.
Conversion to electric power is paramount. However, the first fully electric ferry isn’t expected until 2027. Once online, it will connect Seattle to Bainbridge Island. It will not be cheap; Axios reported that the conversion process will cost about $4 billion.
Photo Courtesy Adam Marikar
The Sea Change and the Washington State Ferry conversion program are parts of a federal zero-emission ferry program. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration launched funding and grants through its Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program. State fleets with aging vessels and Marine Highway System that serve a bi-state area qualify for these federal funds. These directly helped with the conversion process in Washington State.
Many countries outside the U.S. have already switched to electric ferries. Norway debuted its first electric-powered vessel in 2015.
In 2018, Norled, the “MF Ampere” operator, claimed the ship cut emissions by 95% and operational costs by 80%. In 2019, Axios reported that Oslo hoped to introduce around 60 hybrid or all-electric vessels before 2023 ended. Many of these ferries are roll-on, roll-off (RoRo), carrying passengers and cars across the vast fjords.
With maritime technology becoming more efficient and eco-friendly, conversion to hybrid, hydrogen, or all-electric propulsion is a step closer to zero-emission transportation. It will take many stakeholders, but more state governments seem ready to work with the private sector to launch these boats.
