Electric Fast Ferries

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Coming to a lake near you:

Credit: Candela.

Candela, FlyTahoe to launch new electric ferry at Lake Tahoe in US

This design allows the ferry to operate entirely on renewable electricity, offering an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

The vessel’s advanced Flight Controller technology ensures a silent and smooth ride by constantly adjusting the hydrofoils.

With a cruising speed of 25kt, the P-12 will connect the northern and southern shores of Lake Tahoe in under 30 minutes.

P-12 – The Fastest Electric Ferry

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Baleària adapta la serie «Eleanor» para Tarifa-Tánger Ville – FERRYBALEAR

100% ELECTRIC, 0 EMISSIONS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE:
These two catamarans will have an electrical power of 16 MW and will have four electric motors powered by batteries, whose capacity of 11,500 Kwh (equivalent to about 225 electric vehicles) will allow them to make the entire journey with electric propulsion and without emissions.
In addition, the ships, which will meet the 2050 decarbonisation objectives, will have an electrical connection to shore (OPS), with the capacity to supply the ship’s services and recharge the batteries.
They will be equipped with a T-Foil that cushions vertical movement and improves passenger comfort. In addition, electric propulsion eliminates noise, smoke and vibrations.
Both fast vessels, 87 metres long by 25 metres wide, will have a capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles with a maximum speed of 26 knots.

The names of the two new ships will be ‘España 2030’ and ‘Maroc 2030’, to symbolise the intercontinental cooperation and strategic union of both countries in the 2030 World Cup.
135 million euros of investment in ship construction, port electrification and recharging systems.
Optimized for the ports of Tarifa and Tangier Ville.

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Not very fast, but intended mainly for short cross-harbour routes in Hong Kong:

Xin Ming Zhu 39Guangdong Sinoway Composite Materials

VESSEL REVIEW | Xin Ming Zhu 39 – Hong Kong's Sun Ferry Services acquires...

Xin Ming Zhu 39 was built in fulfilment of CKS’ requirement for a lightweight electric ferry for operation in Victoria Harbour and on the 2.96-nautical-mile Hung Nom–North Point route.

Classed by China Classification Society, Xin Ming Zhu 39 (新明珠39号; “New Pearl 39”) has corrosion-resistant carbon-fibre composite construction, an LOA of 34.77 metres (114.1 feet), a beam of 10.6 metres (34.8 feet), a design draught of only 1.76 metres (5.77 feet), a depth of 3.4 metres (11 feet), and seating for up to 400 passengers on main and upper decks.

The propulsion system consists of EVE LF280K lithium iron phosphate batteries and two 230kW motors driving 1,000mm propellers in azimuthing thrusters to deliver a service speed of 10 knots and a maximum speed of 14 knots.
The azimuthing thrusters are independently controlled and are arranged diagonally to allow both two-way propulsion and transverse manoeuvring, thus improving controllability and safety.

“In the past, Chinese shipbuilders relied on imported carbon-fibre and resin to build ships, and the supply chain ended up being costly and it was difficult to ensure the chain’s stability,” said Sinoway.
“To solve these problems, multi-party research institutes and companies cooperated on research into the possibility of local manufacture of marine carbon-fibre.

Meanwhile in the US; Regent is going for speed and range over Pax capacity:

USCG Clears Regent’s Wing-in-Ground Craft for Full-Scale Human Testing

The first design is for an all-electric 12-passenger vessel that can travel at 180 mph. It would have a range of 180 miles on a single charge of its batteries. The company also looks to a larger 100-passenger version as battery technology advances.

With the approval, Regent will proceed toward its full-scale prototype tests. They previously completed float, foil, and flight tests with the smaller prototype. They plan to start testing the full-scale version later this year with humans aboard. They are approved for Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound. The first flight is planned for early next year.

Regent has previously said its target is to bring the first commercial model to market by mid-decade. The company reports over 600 orders valued at more than $9 billion from airline and ferry operators.

Not everybody is convinced of the feasibility, apparently:

Over the last three decades or so, Baird Maritime has seen several such proposals fail expensively, and several WIG craft have been involved in fatal accidents. -Ed

Source:

Rhode Island taxpayers foot much of the bill for new factory to build...