California officials announced that the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial passenger ferry will begin operating on San Francisco Bay to phase out diesel-powered vessels and reduce carbon emissions. The 70-foot catamaran, MV Sea Change, will transport up to 75 passengers between Pier 41 and downtown San Francisco starting July 19. This service will be free for six months as part of a pilot program.
Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, highlighted the vessel’s significance, stating, “If we can operate this successfully, there will be more of these vessels in our fleet and others worldwide.”
The MV Sea Change can travel approximately 300 nautical miles and operate for 16 hours before needing to refuel. Its fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen, emitting only water as a byproduct. This technology could help clean up the shipping industry, which contributes nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Frank Wolak, president and CEO of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, emphasized the ferry’s impact, noting the potential to reduce the carbon intensity of ports worldwide.
The International Maritime Organization aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping by midcentury. The Biden administration supports hydrogen as an energy source, offering $8 billion to promote clean hydrogen production. However, environmental groups caution that current hydrogen production methods, primarily using natural gas, are not yet environmentally friendly.
Proponents believe hydrogen production will become more sustainable with increased use of wind and solar energy. The Sea Change project, managed by SWITCH Maritime, was constructed at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, California, and All-American Marine in Bellingham, Washington.
