World’s First Hydrogen-powered Commercial Ferry to Run on San Francisco Bay, and It’s Free to Ride
Published by Todd Bush on July 15, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial passenger ferry will start operating on San Francisco Bay as part of plans to phase out diesel-powered vessels and reduce planet-warming carbon emissions, California officials said Friday, demonstrating the ship.
>> In Other News: Researchers Move Closer to Green Hydrogen via Water Electrolysis
The 70-foot (21-meter) catamaran called the MV Sea Change will transport up to 75 passengers along the waterfront between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal starting July 19, officials said. The service will be free for six months while it’s being run as part of a pilot program.
“The implications for this are huge because this isn’t its last stop,” said Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, which runs commuter ferries across the bay. “If we can operate this successfully, there are going to be more of these vessels in our fleet and in other folks’ fleets in the United States and we think in the world.”
Sea Change can travel about 300 nautical miles and operate for 16 hours before it needs to refuel. The fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction that emits water as a byproduct.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Daily decarbonization data and news delivered to your inbox
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Latest issues
-
AI Data Centers Just Went Hydrogen, Bosch Is In
Inside This Issue ⚡ ECL and PowerCell Announce 300 MW+ Hydrogen Power Strategic Partnership for AI Data Centers, Supported by Bosch 🍁 Canada, Alberta Ease TIER Carbon Rules to Fast-Track Pathways ...
-
How Isometric Finally Fixed Amazon Carbon Credits
Inside This Issue 🌳 Isometric Certifies First Amazon Credits From Mombak 🧱 Consultation: Revision to Concrete Production Methodology (VM0043) 🚢 DRIFT & Commenda Capital Partners Establish Excl...
-
Ballard Just Paid $400M to Stop Selling Parts
Inside This Issue 🍁 Ballard Buys GeoPura for $400M in Hydrogen Power Push ⛽ XCF Global Begins Producing Renewable Fuels at New Rise Renewables Reno 📈 WoodMac: CCUS Growth Continues Despite Project...
Company Announcements
-
Infinium's CO₂-derived eNaphtha provides the renewable feedstock enabling On's Cloud X 5—the world's first commercially scaled sportswear application of captured carbon in EVA foam. SACRAMENTO, Ca...
-
Growth Energy Welcomes USTR Determination on Brazil’s Unfair Trade Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) latest response to Brazil’s unfair trade practices. The decision, w...
-
EKPO Stacks Power zepp.solutions’ New Generation of Stationary Energy Systems
Amid growing demands for climate protection and security of supply, hydrogen is increasingly moving to the forefront of sustainable energy provision. It is at this very point that EKPO Fuel Cell Te...
-
Lhyfe and Global Industrial Gases Company Messer Reach a Major Milestone: 10-Year Contract and 30% Equity Entry by Messer Into Four Renewable Hydrogen Production Sites Published the 13/07/2026 A ...