HamiltonJet Propulsion Drives the Next Wave of Ferry Innovation

HamiltonJet Propulsion Drives the Next Wave of Ferry Innovation

From Germany to San Francisco to New Zealand, HamiltonJet is powering the ferries defining the future of maritime transport.

As ferry operators around the world seek faster, cleaner and more efficient passenger transport solutions, HamiltonJet propulsion is emerging as a defining force in the next generation of vessel design. Three new craft – the InselExpress 2 servicing the Frisian Islands in Germany; San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Karl; and EV Maritime’s electric ferry for Auckland Transport in New Zealand – demonstrate how HamiltonJet systems are enabling transport providers to meet demanding technical and environmental requirements while supporting different operational profiles across diverse waterways.

For Frisia, the recently launched InselExpress 2 represents a significant step forward in island transport. Operating in the shallow, environmentally sensitive waters of the East Frisian Wadden Sea demands precise manoeuvrability, durability, and exceptional efficiency. The vessel’s HamiltonJet LTX36 waterjets, paired with AVX controls, were selected to deliver high thrust and responsiveness while maintaining low wake and optimal fuel performance. The LTX range is HamiltonJet’s latest evolution in medium-speed waterjet technology, engineered specifically for operators who require highly efficient sailing profiles, strong acceleration, and dependable operation in tight, shallow channels. For a high-frequency, high-reliability ferry operator, these attributes directly support smoother, safer, and more energy-efficient service.

On the opposite side of the world, San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Karl illustrates HamiltonJet’s role in driving cleaner high-speed performance. Equipped with quad HTX52 waterjets, the 40-knot ferry pushes the limits of efficiency within a diesel Tier 4 emissions framework. The HTX series integrates hydrodynamic refinements, simplified maintenance, and advanced digital control interfaces – key factors in ensuring that Karl meets both its strict environmental obligations and the demanding run times of Bay Area commuter routes. The vessel joins a class designed from the outset around HamiltonJet propulsion, underscoring the company’s long-standing partnership with operators committed to reducing emissions without compromising speed or passenger capacity.

Meanwhile, a glimpse of the ferry sector’s electric future is now visible in Auckland, New Zealand, where EV Maritime’s new fully electric composite ferry is powered by HamiltonJet’s integrated electric driveline. As one of the world’s first fast electric passenger ferries, the vessel showcases how HamiltonJet’s technology is evolving beyond waterjets alone to encompass holistic propulsion solutions tailored for zero-emission operations. Its high-speed efficiency and instant torque delivery are critical to meeting the demanding duty cycle of mid-harbour public transport routes.

Across these projects, a unified theme emerges: operators are turning to HamiltonJet not only for propulsion systems, but also for partnership, problem-solving and proven expertise.

“HamiltonJet’s propulsion systems are industry leading, but it’s our collaborative approach and expertise that turns that capability into real-world performance,” says HamiltonJet Managing Director, Ben Reed. “By working closely with designers, builders and operators throughout the vessel lifecycle, we help deliver ferries that set new standards for efficiency, sustainability and operational confidence. The projects showcased here reflect the direction of global ferry innovation, and HamiltonJet is proud to be firmly at the helm.”

For more on HamiltonJet’s Ferries offering, visit HamiltonJet, and to speak to a HamiltonJet representative, please email [email protected].