Page 66: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2026)

In the ShipyardIn the Shipyard

From Design to DeliveryFrom Design to Delivery

A 150-passenger hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry platform from Incat Crowther and SWITCH Maritime secured a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) with the USCG.

Image courtesy Incat Crowther rom hydrogen-powered ferries and ammonia-fu- pressed hydrogen storage, the vessel is intended to com- eled bulk carriers to polar icebreakers, LNG car- plete a full day of high-frequency commuter operations riers and ? oating data centers, the latest genera- with-out requiring intermediate charging.

tion of ships and ship designs re? ects an industry The operating philosophy is signi? cant. Rather than

F investing in new technologies while maintaining a sharp adapting a ferry schedule around battery charging, Switch focus on operational ef? ciency. The diversity of the global is developing a hydrogen-powered vessel capable of main- shipbuilding industry is evident in the projects moving taining service speeds and refueling patterns comparable through design, construction and delivery. While con- to conventional diesel ferries. Mobile hydrogen refueling ventional diesel propulsion remains central to the world's equipment would also eliminate the requirement for ex- commercial ? eet, shipowners and shipbuilders are increas- tensive shoreside charging infrastructure and associated ingly incorporating battery-electric systems, hydrogen fuel electrical grid upgrades.

cells, ammonia, methanol-ready arrangements and LNG The design builds on the companies' experience with Sea dual-fuel propulsion into new vessel designs. Change, the ? rst hydrogen fuel cell-electric ferry to enter

Featured this month are 12 projects that illustrate the passenger service in the U.S., which began operating in breadth of recent activity: some on the drawing board, July 2024. Regulatory development has been an important others starting construction, and several have already en- part of the project. Existing U.S. Coast Guard passenger tered commercial service. vessel regulations do not speci? cally address hydrogen fuel

One of the more interesting developments in the U.S. cell propulsion and onboard hydrogen storage. So Switch passenger vessel market comes from Switch Maritime and and Incat Crowther worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to

Incat Crowther, whose SWITCH-150 hydrogen fuel cell- establish an alternative design framework demonstrating electric ferry design has secured a Design Basis Agreement equivalent levels of safety and risk mitigation.

(DBA) with the U.S. Coast Guard. The ? rst SWITCH-150 is intended for New York City,

The 92-ft. ferry is designed to carry 150 passengers at a operating from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Its passenger ar- cruising speed of 25 knots, using an integrated hydrogen rangement includes seating for 150, luggage storage, a ki- fuel cell-electric propulsion system. With 720 kg of com- osk and three bathrooms, including an accessible facility. 66 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2026

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