Port Charger, Fresh York State’s first public hybrid-electric ferry is preparing to carry passengers for the first full summer between the city’s South Ferry Terminal and Governors Island, a 172-acre oasis located across Fresh York Harbor from Lower Manhattan. Attractive to Fresh Yorkers and tourists alike, Governors Island hosts outdoor concerts and art installations in wide-ranging green spaces.
“Many of our island activities focus on public recreation, nature exploration and public art,” says Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. ” Port Charger reflects all three pillars, with the understanding that the boat ride itself is part of the Governors Island experience.”
The $33 million ferry was designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group and built at the Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana. It is 66 percent faster than the departing ferry – almost 70 years old Lt. Samuel S. courses which used approximately 420 gallons of fuel per day and could complete the one-way trip in 10 minutes. It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 600 tons per year.
The Port Charger it can carry 1,200 passengers and 30 vehicles, using 22 Siemens Energy lithium-ion batteries and backup diesel generators. The goal was to create a showcase for best-in-class technology, says Newman, who has already fielded orders from other cities interested in electrifying their public vessels.
Historically, shipping has been one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize due to the physics of moving heavy hulls through dense waterways. In addition to training crew to replace the ship’s traditional helm with a video game-style digital console, ferry operators must learn how to maintain, repair and load ships. Then there’s “ferrynoia,” the fear among some islanders that a software glitch or faulty battery cell could disable the transportation they use for medical care, grocery shopping and commuting to school.
Hybrid-electric ferries are faster, quieter and cheaper to maintain due to simpler propulsion systems. The Port Charger it can operate on battery power for up to 90 minutes before switching to hybrid mode, resulting in annual fuel savings of an estimated $200,000, a modest start before infrastructure upgrades are implemented. Once the on-shore fast charging stations are installed, the ferry will completely stop using diesel fuel, saving another 800 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Across the country, San Francisco Bay Ferry is preparing to launch the first high-speed, all-electric, battery-powered passenger ferry in the U.S., powered at some terminals by specialized electric charging platforms that will draw power from the city grid.
San Francisco’s first 150-passenger electric ship is expected to be operational in early 2027 and will travel in eight minutes from the Ferry Building downtown to Treasure Island, a secluded 400-acre parcel that the city hopes to transform into a destination for festivals, biking and windsurfing.
“There have been festivals on the island in the past, but getting to and from the island was difficult,” says Thomas Hall, director of operations and customer service for San Francisco Bay Ferry. “We will have lounge-style seating, bike storage and outdoor viewing areas” on the ferry.
Thanks to a $55 million federal grant, the agency is purchasing several battery-powered catamarans and ferries to connect downtown transportation hubs with emerging waterfront districts such as Mission Bay and Treasure Island. The five boats, all selected by public vote, represent the initial stages of the agency’s goal of building a completely zero-emissions fleet by 2035.
Hall expects a more relaxing experience for commuters and guests alike, even as ship designs eschew customary concessions and bars in favor of more seating and storage. “We just didn’t think faster travel would justify the extra weight and staff required,” he says. “Instead, you will be able to hear the sounds of the water and be able to carry on a conversation without shouting.”