The first high-speed zero-emissions electric ferry will operate in NYC's New York harbor.
Sweden’s Green City Ferries AB and New York Cruise Lines are collaborating on the project.
The ferryboat is due to be launched in Spring 2024.
The newbuild will join the New York Water Taxi fleet (owned by New York Cruise Lines) and will sail on Hudson River between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The new ship is a Green City Ferries “Beluga24” model. It has a capacity of 147 passengers and can carry 28 bicycles. The ship has a carbon-fiber construction and a Teknicraft design assisted by foils. At speeds of ~30 knots, the foil placed midships pulls the vessel halfway out of the water, causing low wake wash.
Other features include a BAE Systems Driveline, Toshiba batteries, Hamilton high-speed water jets, and Echandia Power management. The vessel is reported to have the market's quickest turnaround time. The features of the ferry allow it to have optimized uptime, minimum maintenance costs, and lower operating costs than comparable diesel ships.
The collaboration with New York Cruise lines is Green City Ferries’ first US customer.
The model Beluga24 is also due to enter service in Stockholm (Sweden) early next year.