Artemis Technologies Unveils World’s Most Advanced 100% Electric Passenger Ferry
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Artemis Technologies.
These bullet points list the features of the EF-24 passenger ferry.
- With a top speed of 38 knots and a foiling range of 115 nautical miles at 25 knots, these vessels will transform the global passenger ferry market as it races to decarbonise
- Produces minimal wake, enabling high-speed operations in busy waterways
- Riding above the waves results in a comfortable ride, reducing effects of seasickness
- Efficiency of foils and electric drive system delivers significant OPEX savings including lower maintenance costs and up to 85% fuel savings
- Electric propulsion generates zero emissions in operation, removing air, water and noise pollution
- These 24 metre vessels designed and built by Artemis Technologies represent ground-breaking green innovations for commercial ferries, radically different from traditional ferries in operation
- First EF-24 Passenger ferry will be operated by Condor Ferries in 2024
- 100% electric, the vessels and systems developed by Artemis Technologies are designed to make the lowest possible impact on the environment
It certainly looks the part, but then it was designed using technology from racing yachts.
I have a few thoughts.
The Bangor And Belfast Trial Route
The press release says this about a trial route.
Artemis Technologies has partnered with Condor Ferries to operate a pilot scheme using the first EF-24 Passenger ferry. This will come into service in 2024, running between Belfast and Bangor in Northern Ireland.
This Google Map shows the location of the two cities.
Note.
- Belfast is in the South-East corner of the map.
- The Titanic Quarter and George Best Airport are marked.
- I walked between the Airport and the Titanic Quarter, when I visited five years ago.
- Bangor is in the North-East corner of the map.
I have actually travelled between Belfast and Bangor on a train, which I wrote about in A Train Trip From Belfast To Bangor.
As the Thames Clipper in London competes well for commuters and other passengers in London, I would think that they will attract passengers.
I regularly go one way to Battersea Power Station on the Northern Line and come back on the Clipper to London Bridge, as it puts a bit of fresh air in my lungs.
Will the good burgers of Belfast do the same?
As the service will start at the Titanic Quarter, it could be a tourist attraction.
Other Routes
If you look at the Wikipedia entry for hydrofoil, there are a lot of route possibilities.
I have a few suggestions.
Thames Clippers
The Thames Clipper fleet is all diesel and typical boats have a 28 knot cruising speed and carry between 150-172 passengers.
So it would appear that EF-24 Ferries would have a similar performance.
Thames Clippers have promoted the possibility of a service from London to Gravesend, which is under thirty miles by road.
An EF-24 Ferry might be ideal for the longer route.
High-Speed Routes Between Great Britain And Ireland
In High-Speed Low-Carbon Transport Between Great Britain And Ireland, I laid out ideas to travel between the two islands.
I showed that by using high speed trains to Holyhead and then a high speed ferry, times of under five hours could be achieved to both Belfast and Dublin.
If a High Speed Two Classic-Compatible Train were to be used timings from Euston to Holyhead could be.
- Euston and Crewe – 56 minutes – High Speed 2 prediction
- Crewe and Holyhead – 1 hour 58 minutes – Current time.
The second leg would be faster, if the route were to be electrified.
Mersey Ferries
Like Merseyrail’s elderly Class 508 trains, the Mersey Ferries are long in the tooth and need replacing.
In my view, Artemis Technologies could build some very suitable electric ferries.
New routes might also be developed to appeal to tourists.
I am sure there are many more routes in the UK and around Europe and the wider world.
Liverpool Stripped Of Unesco World Heritage Status
The title of this post, the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the first paragraph under the picture.
Liverpool has been stripped of its World Heritage status after a UN committee found developments threatened the value of the city’s waterfront.
Liverpool politicians seem united against the action.
I wonder, if the UNESCO committee are a load of snobs, as you should judge Liverpool not as one but a vast string of waterfront sites and buildings.
This picture was taken from a Birkenhead ferry.
It is a very ordinary picture, as it doesn’t show the two cathedrals on the hills behind.
Since, I left Liverpool University in the 1960s, there have been several developments at the Pier Head.
The Albert Dock complex with the Tate Liverpool has been created.
- The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been extended in front of The Three Graces to reach the Albert Dock.
- The Liverpool One Shopping Centre has been built on the behind the Three Graces as an extension to Liverpool’s main Shopping Centre.
- Liverpool City Museum has been built between the Albert Dock complex and The Three Graces.
- There are statues everywhere including to the Beatles and Billy Fury. I saw both in performance.
- There is the Memorial to the Battle of the Atlantic.
- The Pier Head and Ferry Terminal has been completely rebuilt.
- There is a Cruise Terminal capable of taking the largest cruise ships.
- The new Everton Stadium will be built a couple of hundred metres to the left of the distinctive Liver Building.
To me, the most unusual is the Leeds and Liverpool Canal extended in front of The Three Graces. But that allowed narrow boats to sail between Leeds and the Albert Dock.
Conclusion
It is a site, where most people can spend a couple of days.
Should Liverpool Be A World Heritage Site?
Go spend two days there and then decide.
The First North American Commercial Hydrogen Ferry Is In The Works
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Fuel News.
The 84-passenger ferry will be called Sea Change and will operate in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What is interesting about this project are some of the companies and organisations involved, who include BAe Systems, Cummins and the California Air Resources Board, who are chipping in with a $3 million grant.
I’ve said before that Cummins are making investments in hydrogen and modern, reliable and eco-friendly ferries across iconic rivers and estuaries wouldn’t harm the companies involved in their creation.
This page on the Switch Maritime gives more details of the Sea Change.
Ferries Across The Mersey
The current Mersey Ferries in Liverpool entered service in the 1960s.
These pictures shows Snowdrop, when she had been given a razzle-dazzle paint scheme by Sir Peter Blake.
Note.
- There is more about this colour scheme in the Wikipedia entry for Dazzle Ship (14-18 NOW).
- Snowdrop is much larger than the Californian ferry
- Mersey Ferries are different and the current pair will need to be replaced soon.
To me, hydrogen is the obvious choice for propulsion for a new ferry.
Freeport East
Freeport East is a new freeport to be built around the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.
It will also be a hydrogen hub, as this infographic shows.
I would expect that the ferry between the two ports will be upgraded to a hydrogen one.
Conclusion
Ferries will be one of the first application of hydrogen power to ships.
Transition Your Ships To Zero-Emissions With Ballard’s New FCwave
The title of this post, is the same as that of this post on the Ballard blog.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Today, the maritime sector accounts for approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, equivalent to 940 megatonnes each year . But the industry is now moving into a new era of mobility, where sustainability and climate change issues are top of mind.
And this paragraph introduces Ballard’s solution.
At Ballard, we’re here to support ship operators and marine propulsion integrators in this transition. Today, we’ll introduce you to our new FCwave™ fuel cell module—the world’s first commercial fuel cell solution for marine vessels.
There is a link to a brochure.
The blog also has two videos and a picture of a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, which is labelled Ballard Fuel Cell Powered HySeas Consortium Ferry, so is a hydrogen-powered ferry coming to an island near you or where you like to go?
This article on the Liverpool Echo is entitled Plans For A New Ferry To Cross The Mersey.
As the current two ferries, were in service when I was a student at Liverpool University in the 1960s, replacement of one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic ferries in the world with hydrogen power would be a smart move, by both Liverpool and Ballard.
Especially, as the Liverpool area is not short of hydrogen.
The Anonymous Widower 