San Francisco Bay Ferry (SF Bay Ferry) recently released design renderings for what they state will be the nation’s first high-speed, zero-emission, battery electric vessels. The vessels will be the first of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) ferry program.
The new vessel design is a part of SF Bay Ferry’s efforts to seek bids from American shipyards for procurement of its first five battery electric ferries. This includes two 400-passenger vessels that will operate on the system’s Central Bay routes and three 150-passenger vessels that will serve San Francisco’s rapidly growing Treasure Island and Mission Bay neighborhoods.
“The updated design of the smaller vessels is focused on maximizing transit ridership and the rider experience,” said Seamus Murphy, SF Bay Ferry’s executive director. “That means doing everything we can to provide a service that is comfortable, convenient, frequent and fast enough to make transit the primary option for commuters and residents travelling to and from these growing neighborhoods.”
The vessels have been designed to provide riders with views of the San Francisco skyline along a trip that will connect Treasure Island and Mission Bay to Downtown San Francisco. The statement released from SF Bay Ferry expects a transit time of 15 minutes.
SF Bay Ferry’s REEF Program also includes construction of a new electric charging float for the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal, electrification of the Treasure Island Ferry Terminal and construction of a Mission Bay Ferry Terminal with electric vessel charging capabilities.
SF Bay Ferry’s first battery electric vessel is expected to enter service in 2026. San Diego-based Aurora Marine Design (AMD) completed the design of the vessel in partnership with SF Bay Ferry and other REEF collaborators. To meet operational needs for charging technology and given the shorter trip times expected for this class of vessel, the design features a highly efficient propulsion system that enables the vessel quicker docking than traditional ferries, inherently safe battery technology that supports rapid charging and wider, self-deploying boarding ramps that greatly improve the disembarkation process, the press release said
“This vessel is the product of a multi-year design effort, working closely with industry and the ferry operators to achieve the right balance of cutting-edge technology and robustness,” said Shaun Green, principal at AMD. “The 150-passenger vessel really elevates the passenger experience with a fresh, modern design that paves the way for the future SF Bay Ferry fleet.”
SF Bay Ferry has assembled an integration team for REEF, ensuring technology and equipment used for the battery-electric vessels and infrastructure work seamlessly together to maximize system flexibility, resilience and cost-effectiveness.
Swedish energy storage firm Echandia will supply the batteries for the REEF vessels. In July, Echandia broke ground on a manufacturing facility in Marysville, Wash., ensuring that the Bay’s new zero-emission vessels will be powered with American-made batteries.
Earlier this summer, SF Bay Ferry launched a demonstration pilot service on Sea Change, the world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered 100% by hydrogen fuel cells.
