Electric propulsion

Watts in store for Argentina: a green ferry overhaul

Watts in store for Argentina: a green ferry overhaul

The Paraná Delta is a fascinating ecological zone, located where the Paraná River meets the River Plate in Argentina. While most deltas empty into oceans, the Paraná Delta flows directly into the River Plate, a freshwater estuary, creating a unique ecosystem with a mix of freshwater and wetland habitats. As such, the Delta is a […]

Turning “trash into treasure” with recycled plastic

Turning “trash into treasure” with recycled plastic

Electric and hybrid marine drive manufacturer Torqeedo has announced that it will build its future propellers from “100% recycled ocean plastics”, as a small but firm step towards addressing the plastic pollution crisis. Torqeedo’s Advanced Engineering Team is currently testing recycled ocean-bound polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) plastic pellets, which, the team claims, could […]

IEMA launches electric vessel manifesto

IEMA launches electric vessel manifesto

New boat sector non-profit the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) has launched a manifesto pledging its commitment to the adoption of electric vessel propulsion, emphasising “knowledge exchange, educational outreach, research and development, industry representation and cultural/environmental considerations” among its key objectives. The manifesto has been endorsed by nine national association signatories, including: the Electric Boat […]

Optima water taxi goes to town on green power

Optima water taxi goes to town on green power

A collaborative project spearheaded by Optima Electric Yachts – a company dedicated to producing 100% electric boats with energy-saving hullforms – and funded by the fourth round of the UK government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC4), aims to develop an electric vessel for urban riverine transport, as well as potential leisure and commercial marine applications. […]

First trip for the Phantom

First trip for the Phantom

Vision Electric Boats, the boatbuilding division set up by Canadian electric outboard manufacturer Vision Marine Technologies, unveiled its new “unsinkable” polyethylene boat, the Phantom, at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. The bright blue boat was produced using rotational moulding (aka rotomoulding): a technique used to create large, one-piece, complex shapes, typically with uniform wall […]

Aero sector inspires Incat’s e-ferry plans

Aero sector inspires Incat’s e-ferry plans

Incat Tasmania has taken inspiration from the skies, having unveiled plans to “do for short sea-sea ferry services what Boeing did for the aviation industry” with a new range of electric ferries. And, just as Boeing reduced its development and manufacturing costs by incorporating standardised components and processes, so Incat predicts that the new e-ferry […]

Successful launch for Indian electric ferry

Successful launch for Indian electric ferry

Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has launched an electric, double-hulled catamaran ferry, ordered for use by the Government of West Bengal. Named Dheu, the newbuild features a length of 24m, an aluminium hull and an FRP superstructure, and can carry up to 150 persons. Dheu was built to Indian Register of Shipping […]

All aboard the BMT ‘bike bus’

All aboard the BMT ‘bike bus’

Decarbonisation of the ferry sector continues to gain pace, with naval architect and designer BMT recently providing a preview of its forthcoming EF-500 all-electric passenger vessel concept. Developed to meet international demand for low- and zero-emission ferry services, the EF-500 concept was unveiled at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, hosted between November-December 2023, […]

Smart charging at the end of the gangway

Smart charging at the end of the gangway

The new 7017 E service operation vessel (SOV) from Damen has a trick up its sleeve – or more accurately, at the end of its gangway, writes Stevie Knight. Importantly, it’s a trick that promises to allow the vessel to run on battery power alone. This recent 4,300gt design will, like its SOV 7017 predecessor, […]