Echandia to supply battery systems for San Francisco Bay Ferry’s electric ferry fleet

Swedish maritime battery supplier Echandia has been selected to supply maritime battery systems for ferry service provider San Francisco Bay Ferry’s (SF Bay Ferry) battery electric ferry fleet.

PHOTO: SF Bay Ferry’s battery electric ferry concept. Echandia

Although the immediate impact that these small-scale electric vessels will have on global greenhouse gas emissions might be limited, the contract holds significance as it provides crucial technical and operational insights that can inform the development of larger-scale electric vessels in the future.

SF Bay Ferry is launching a battery electric ferry programme, with the first phase involving the deployment of three 150-passenger ferries to connect new waterfront neighbourhoods in San Francisco. Additionally, two 400-passenger battery electric ferries will be introduced to serve existing routes in Oakland and Alameda.

The ferry service provider is also designing a new electric charging float for the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal. This float will feature battery banks for energy storage, enabling rapid charging during the ferries' dwell times at the terminal.

The first battery electric vessel is expected to start operations in 2026, with the initial batch of battery systems scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2025.

By Tuhin Roy

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