Beluga24 – the world’s first hydrogen high-speed catamaran ferry. Source: Green City Ferries

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Approximately 2.1 billion people use ferries every year, putting the industry on a par with commercial airlines in terms of annual users worldwide. To many cities and their citizens, travelling the waterways lies at the heart of everyday life. While some cities have mandated the switch to ‘fossil-free’ biodiesel, these vessels are still omitting harmful particles that cause numerous health issues to citizens. Despite a widespread push to reduce emissions, ferries have long been neglected in the drive to create cleaner, greener public transport in cities. 

The European Commission has set out its vision to establish 100 climate-neutral smart cities by 2030, but this cannot be achieved without investing in new emission-free waterborne transport solutions. With air pollution continuing to kill 400,000 people annually in the EU, zero-emission ferry systems must be implemented across the EU. The technology to do is here. The time to act is now.

Green ferry technology

As a systems integrator, Green City Ferries (GCF) offers a holistic solution for cities. We bring together state-of-the-art zero-emission (ZE) fast passenger ferries and shoreside and hydrogen infrastructure. The company has unveiled the Beluga24 – the world’s first hydrogen high-speed catamaran ferry. 

The Beluga24 comes with two emission-free options – electric for short journeys and hydrogen for long – and has been designed as a multi-purpose solution for public transportation with space for 150 passengers and 28 bikes. The high-speed ferries have low-wake signatures, a long range, and are

extremely well-suited for usage on waterways in and around cities by enabling attractive timetables and comfortable commutes.

The biggest challenge with these vessels is their weight compared to a conventional diesel ferries. To mitigate this, the Beluga24 uses a hydrofoil system and lightweight carbon fiber hulls. The lifting force created by the hydrofoil when the vessel is operating at cruise speed effectively reduces the displacement of the vessel, lifts the hull partly out of the water, and thereby reduces the resistance, alleviating the impact of the additional weight of the electrical propulsion system. 

The solutions are here

GCF’s first commercial application starts in 2023 in the Stockholm archipelago with a high-speed hydrogen ferry taking on longer routes within the area, with support from the European Union funded project, TECOW. With many other cities already showing interest in the technology it won’t be long before hydrogen ferries are taking mobility into cleaner waters across the EU and beyond.Except for the vessels itself and the infrastructure GCF also offers financing for authorities for an efficient transition.

GCF stands ready to contribute to the 1.5°C target by introducing its zero-emission ferry on a global scale. 

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Beluga24 – the world’s first hydrogen high-speed catamaran ferry. Source: GCF

Approximately 2.1 billion people use ferries every year, putting the industry on a par with commercial airlines in terms of annual users worldwide. To many cities and their citizens, travelling the waterways lies at the heart of everyday life. While some cities have mandated the switch to ‘fossil-free’ biodiesel, these vessels are still omitting harmful particles that cause numerous health issues to citizens. Despite a widespread push to reduce emissions, ferries have long been neglected in the drive to create cleaner, greener public transport in cities.

The European Commission has set out its vision to establish 100 climate-neutral smart cities by 2030, but this cannot be achieved without investing in new emission-free waterborne transport solutions. With air pollution continuing to kill 400,000 people annually in the EU, zero-emission ferry systems must be implemented across the EU. The technology to do is here. The time to act is now.