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New York hybrid ferry to use hydrogen to cut fuel use

The New York Hornblower Hybrid will be the second hybrid vessel for Statue Cruises, but the first to use a hydrogen fuel cell system

A shipyard in Connecticut has signed a deal to build a ferry that will use hydrogen power as well as wind and solar power technology to cut its carbon footprint.

Statue Cruises, part of Hornblower Cruises & Events, has hired Bridgeport-based Derecktor Shipyards to build its hybrid ferry, which will transport passengers between landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York.

The 1,400-horsepower Hornblower Hybrid will use a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system to generate power from hydrogen, expected to be the world’s first hybrid ferry to use hydrogen as a fuel. Tier 2 diesel engines will kick in to provide additional power as needed.

The 600-passenger craft is expected to be launched in April 2011.

The New York Hornblower Hybrid follows on from the San Francisco Hornblower Hybrid, a 149-passenger craft launched in 2008, which has solar and wind power systems as well as diesel engines.

Terry MacRae, CEO of Statue Cruises and Hornblower Cruises & Events, said his company was aiming to reduce emissions “to the greatest extent possible”, and hoped eventually to eliminate emissions entirely from its cruises.

The charter yacht and cruise company currently operates more than 50 vessels around the country, and believes its inroads into clean energy could prompt others in the industry to follow suit.

This boat will produce minimal carbon emissions and sip, rather than guzzle, diesel” - Gavin Higgins, Derecktor Shipyards

Mr MacRae said: “The technology on the Hornblower Hybrid is now scalable for other hybrid ferries, hybrid yachts and even hybrid tugs. Some may say we are at the turning point in modernizing marine technology and Hornblower plans to be leading the way.”

Along with its clean energy technology, the multi-million dollar New York Hornblower Hybrid craft will make use of environmental materials and energy-efficient lighting and electronics.

Gavin Higgins, Derecktor Vice President for Business Development, said: “This is a genuinely breakthrough project, not only for us but for the U.S. marine industry.

“This boat will produce minimal carbon emissions and sip, rather than guzzle, diesel fuel. Along the way it will help make New York harbor a cleaner, safer and more pleasant place. As a local shipyard, we’re extremely pleased to have this project,” added Mr Higgins.