The world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial passenger ferry will begin operations on San Francisco Bay in an effort to phase out diesel-powered vessels and reduce carbon emissions, California officials announced on Friday. The 70-foot catamaran, named MV Sea Change, will carry up to 75 passengers along the waterfront between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal starting July 19. The service will be free for six months as part of a pilot program.
“The implications of this are significant because this is just the beginning,” said Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority. “If we can operate this successfully, we could see more hydrogen-powered vessels in fleets across the country and around the world.”
Sea Change has a range of about 300 nautical miles and can operate for 16 hours before needing to refuel. The fuel cells generate electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen, producing water as a byproduct.
Officials believe that this technology could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry, which currently accounts for nearly 3% of global emissions. While this is less than emissions from other transportation sources like cars, trucks, and aviation, it is still a significant contributor to climate change.
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Frank Wolak, president and CEO of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, emphasized the importance of reducing emissions from vessels and highlighted the potential for hydrogen fuel cells in the shipping industry.
Hydrogen fuel cells could eventually power container ships, aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping by midcentury.
The Sea Change project, financed and managed by investment firm SWITCH Maritime, signifies a step towards cleaner energy sources in transportation. The vessel was constructed at Bay Ship and Yacht in California and All-American Marine in Washington.
