After nearly five years of development and several delays, the first hydrogen-powered commercial vessel in the United States has received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to commence operations. The vessel, a 75-passenger catamaran ferry named Sea Change, was developed by a startup called SWITCH Maritime.
Last Friday, Captain Taylor Lam, the USCG Sector San Francisco commander and Captain of the Port for Northern California, presented the Sea Change with its Certificate of Inspection.
With the issuance of the Certificate of Inspection, the vessel is now authorised to begin commercial zero-emission public ferry service. Following a formal launch event scheduled for June, the Sea Change will be operated in a six-month pilot service by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). After the initial demonstration period, SWITCH plans to put the vessel into a more permanent ferry route.
Pace Ralli, CEO of SWITCH highlights the rapid evolution of the technology, stating that they are already able to provide similar operational capabilities and ranges to diesel-powered vessels. The hydrogen system also eliminates the need for shoreside charging infrastructure required by battery-only vessels.
The Sea Change utilises hydrogen fuel cells to power all-electric motors, enabling transit distances up to 300 nautical miles and speeds up to 15 knots. Built and launched at All American Marine shipyard in Bellingham, Washington, in August 2021, the Sea Change is a 70-foot catamaran ferry designed by Incat Crowther.
Despite significant hurdles in developing the technology and gaining approval, the vessel reached the San Francisco Bay Area just over a year ago, with SWITCH working to train the crew and complete USCG certification.
The vessel features an integrated hydrogen power system from Zero Emission Industries, with 360kW of fuel cells from Cummins and 600kW of electric motor propulsion from BAE Systems. Its tanks from Hexagon Purus have a capacity for 242kg of hydrogen stored in a gaseous form on the top deck at a pressure of 250 bar.
While there are currently only a handful of hydrogen-powered vessels in the world, supporters highlight the potential for the industry. Founded in 2018, SWITCH Maritime develops, finances, builds, and leases zero-emission maritime vessels to existing operators in the U.S. and internationally. SWITCH has reported that it is actively working on additional expansion designs for 150-, 300-, and 450-passenger zero-emission ferries.