SWITCH Maritime, a top developer of zero-emission vessels, has made history with its hydrogen-powered ferry, the Sea Change. Last Friday, the US Coast Guard’s Captain Taylor Q. Lam handed over the signed Certificate of Inspection (COI) to SWITCH Maritime. This ceremony, held on the vessel, marks a significant milestone for green maritime technology.
With the COI in hand, the Sea Change is ready to start its zero-emission public ferry service. This ferry uses hydrogen fuel cells to power electric motors, allowing it to travel up to 300 nautical miles at speeds of up to 15 knots. It offers similar performance to diesel-powered ferries without needing shoreside charging stations like battery-only vessels.
Starting in June, the Sea Change will operate in a six-month pilot service managed by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). This initiative is backed by public and private sponsors, including Chevron, United, the Golden State Warriors, the California Air Resources Board, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, and Blue & Gold Fleet. After the pilot period, SWITCH plans to integrate the ferry into a regular route and is working on new designs for larger, faster ferries for San Francisco Bay and other major markets.
SWITCH Maritime is on a mission to speed up the adoption of net-zero vessels. They manage the regulatory and construction challenges, offering operators the chance to lease these new vessels once they’re ready. This “hardware-as-a-service” approach is helping industries transition to cleaner energy more smoothly, providing a practical path for operators to move toward a carbon-neutral fleet.
This exciting development in green maritime technology showcases the potential of hydrogen fuel cells and sets a new standard for zero-emission water transport.
