Spring launch scheduled for first zero-emissions passenger ferry in NYC

New York Cruise Lines and Green City Ferries AB (GCF) announced today a collaboration to launch the first high-speed zero-emissions electric ferry in New York Harbor.

With a targeted launch date of spring 2024, the two companies will usher in the new era of cleaner and more efficient marine transportation. The vessel would operate under the iconic yellow-and-black branding of New York Cruise Lines’ subsidiary New York Water Taxi on the Hudson River between Brooklyn and Manhattan.  

“As a leader and innovator in the international marine industry, we are incredibly excited to bring our technology to New York City," Hans Thornell, chairman of Green City Ferries, said in a statement announcing the plan. "The Beluga24 delivers for New Yorkers a luxury, zero-emission experience with our ultra-quiet, high-speed, low-vibration, fast-charging vessel. Our passengers’ first ride aboard our sleek, fast and efficient ferry will change their expectations of emission-free maritime transportation forever.” 

The Beluga24 has a capacity of 147 passengers and 28 bicycles and features a carbon-fiber construction with a rugged, foil-assisted Teknicraft design that results with a low-wake signature in high speed.

The above-water layout has an attractive Italian design by Sculli. Other features include a BAE Systems driveline, Echandia power management, Toshiba batteries, and Hamiltonjet high-speed waterjets. 

GCF’s exclusive technologies have created the most energy efficient, lightweight, high-speed ferry with the quickest turn-around time on the market, company officials said. These features allow for optimized uptime, reduced maintenance costs, elimination of fossil fuels and most importantly lead to lower operating costs than diesel vessels.

The collaboration with New York Cruise Lines and New York Water Taxi would be GCF’s first customer in the U.S. but not the first commercial deployment of the Beluga24, which is currently scheduled to enter service in Stockholm, Sweden, early next year. 

The new collaboration will result in the first high-speed zero-emissions electric ferry manufactured in the U.S., fostering domestic job opportunities and economic growth in the shipbuilding industry.

“New York Water Taxi has been working to bring cleaner, more efficient ferry service to New York Harbor and we have found the right partner in Green City Ferries," said Craig Kanarick, CEO of New York Cruise Lines. "We can’t wait to thrill our passengers with this ultra-luxurious, zero-emission experience, and together change the public perception on how ferries can improve lives in our city and around the world,” 

The advantages of this high-speed, zero-emissions electric ferry are perfectly suited to the transportation service that New York Water Taxi operates for NYU Langone Health, running all day long between Manhattan’s East Side and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the companies said.