So Long, ‘Ferrynoia.’ Green Maritime Technology Is Here

The Harbor Charger, New York state's first hybrid-electric public ferry, is gearing up for its first full summer transporting passengers between the city’s South Ferry terminal and Governors Island, the 172-acre oasis across New York Harbor from Lower Manhattan. A draw for New Yorkers and tourists alike, Governors Island hosts outdoor concerts and art installations on its sprawling green spaces.

“A lot of what we do on the island is focused on public recreation, exploring the outdoors and public art,” says Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “The Harbor Charger reflects all three of those pillars, with the idea being that the boat ride itself is part of your 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’s 66 percent faster than the outgoing ferry—the nearly 70-year-old Lt. Samuel S. Coursen that consumed roughly 420 gallons of fuel daily—and can make the one-way trip in 10 minutes. It’s expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 600 tons annually.

The Harbor Charger can carry 1,200 passengers and 30 vehicles using 22 lithium-ion battery packs from Siemens Energy alongside backup diesel generators. The goal was to create a showcase for best-in-class technology, says Newman, who has already fielded requests from other cities interested in electrifying their public watercraft.

Historically, maritime transport has been one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, due to the physics of moving heavy hulls through dense waterways. In addition to training the crew on swapping a traditional ship wheel for a digital video-game-like console, ferry operators must learn how to maintain, fix, and charge the vessels. Then there’s “ferrynoia,” the fear some island residents have that a software glitch or a faulty battery cell could halt the transportation they rely on for medical care, groceries, and school commutes.

Hybrid-electric ferries are faster, quieter, and less expensive to maintain due to their simpler drivetrains. The Harbor Charger can operate on battery power for up to 90 minutes before switching to hybrid mode, yielding an estimated $200,000 annual fuel savings, a modest beginning before infrastructure upgrades can be made. Once dockside rapid-charging stations are installed, the ferry will stop using diesel entirely, saving another 800 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Across the country, San Francisco Bay Ferry is preparing to launch the first high-speed, fully battery-electric passenger f