NYC could potentially acquire a hydrogen-powered ferry, emulating San Francisco's recent introduction of such a vessel.

In a significant stride towards cleaner marine technologies, several ferry operators, including New York City, San Francisco, and Washington state, are testing and deploying cleaner marine technologies. One of the most anticipated developments is the upcoming launch of a hydrogen-powered ferry in New York City, set to debut around early 2028.

The world's first commercial hydrogen ferry, the Sea Change, sailed in the San Francisco Bay a year ago. The New York ferry, yet to be named, will be twice the size and operate twice as fast as its San Francisco counterpart.

The hydrogen used in the San Francisco ferry is produced using fossil gas, sourced from existing automotive fueling stations in the area. However, for the New York ferry, the company developing it is currently identifying three potential suppliers of green hydrogen for its operations. Future supplies could include hydrogen made from nuclear or methane pyrolysis as those production methods scale.

The New York City ferry will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells that don't emit carbon dioxide or toxic air pollution. In addition to hydrogen, the ferry will also use batteries and diesel generators. This hybrid approach aims to provide a viable alternative to rebuilding and renewing ferry fleets with diesel.

Last month, New York City launched a $33 million hybrid-electric ferry. The new hydrogen ferry, if successful, could potentially replace aging diesel-fueled ferries. It's important to note that more than 600 ferries ply the country's waterways, and the vast majority of them still burn diesel fuel.

Pace Ralli, CEO and cofounder of Switch Maritime, the company developing the hydrogen-powered ferry, stated that the goal is to offer a clean, quiet rebuttal to the noisy and polluting ferries that are common in many coastal cities.

Switch Maritime was awarded $2 million from New York state to develop a 150-passenger hydrogen-fueled ferry. The ferry will undergo a 12-month demonstration period before potentially transitioning to longer-term service.

The company aims to launch the new ferry around early 2028 and plans a 12-month demonstration period before potentially transitioning to longer-term service. It's worth mentioning that no such hydrogen supply chains exist in the U.S. maritime industry at present.

In conclusion, the upcoming hydrogen-powered ferry in New York City represents a significant step towards cleaner and more sustainable marine transportation. The successful implementation of this technology could pave the way for a greener future for the U.S. maritime industry.

NYC could potentially acquire a hydrogen-powered ferry, emulating San Francisco's recent introduction of such a vessel.