Hydrogen fuel cell ferry lined up for New York deployment

Shipbuilder Incat Crowther and US-based operator Switch Maritime partner to develop a hydrogen-fuelled fast ferry for deployment in New York.

IMAGE: Hydrogen powered vessel design. Incat Crowther.

The partners have designed a 28-metre hydrogen fuel cell-electric vessel capable of carrying up to 150 passengers at a cruising speed of 25 knots, according to a statement from Incat Crowther.

The vessel has been configured with approximately 720 kg of compressed hydrogen storage, which is expected to enable a full day of operations while maintaining service speeds and schedules comparable to conventional diesel ferries.

According to the companies, the ferry has been conceived as a “drop-in” solution for existing ferry networks. The design avoids the need for shoreside charging infrastructure and does not require significant changes to operational patterns.

Initial deployment plans include a ZEF-150 demonstration vessel to be based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The development has secured support through a $2 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It also builds on earlier collaboration between the two companies on the hydrogen ferry, Sea Change, which is currently operating in California’s Bay Area.

The project marks another step in the companies’ efforts to scale hydrogen propulsion solutions within US ferry networks, particularly in emission-sensitive urban corridors.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online