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FOGHORN
While operators are most familiar with diesel—decades 
of experience translate into well-understood mainte-
nance, mature training pipelines, concrete regulatory 
regimes, and de-risked construction pathways—stepping 
out of that comfort zone with novel propulsion systems 
promises cleaner, more efficient fleets and may help fu-
ture proof operations. 
THE STUDY
Real-World Data from NYC Ferry
To better understand the operating and financial consider-
ations of fleet-scale decarbonization, SWITCH Maritime 
partnered with KPFF Consulting Engineers to answer a 
question sharper than “should ferries go electric?” Rather, 
based on real-world operating conditions, we explored each 
fleet pathway, looking at what operational and infrastruc-
tural changes must be made and the costs associated with 
making them.
Leveraging data from NYC Ferry, KPFF built a compre-
hensive techno-economic analysis comparing diesel, bat-
tery-electric (BEV), and hydrogen fuel cell-electric (FCEV) 
vessels across two service routes. They modeled capital 
costs, 30-year operating costs, and fleet-level economics for 
each propulsion type.  (See Table 1,)
WHY TWO SERVICE ROUTES MATTER
KPFF modeled two real NYC Ferry routes: the East Riv-
er Route, a route with high-frequency, short runs, and 
frequent stops; and the Soundview Route, a longer, more 
energy-intensive route. 
Switch, KPFF, and Hornblower Group, who operates the 
NYC Ferry, conducted a route analysis for each propulsion 
type along each route. Based on the initial route analysis 
and real-world data provided by Hornblower, KPFF mod-
eled both the capital and 30-year operating costs at sin-
gle-vessel and full fleet levels. 
This dual route approach gave the team three key advantag-
es. First, Switch is supported by the New York State Energy 
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with 
FOGHORN FOCUS
TABLE 1: FIVE PROPULSION PATHWAYS EVALUATED
Diesel
•	 No emission savings
•	 No operational changes
•	 Least risk 
Diesel-electric
•	 0–5% emission reduction
•	 Adds weight 
•	 Introduces challenge of dual-propulsion maintenance 
•	 Difficult to retrofit in space-constrained vessels (such as catamarans)
Diesel-battery-
electric hybrid
•	 10-15% emission reduction through peak shaving, while more emissions reduc-
tion can be achieved with shoreside charging infrastructure 
•	 Same constrains as diesel-electric (see above)
Battery-electric
•	 Zero-emission operation
•	 Proven technology with straightforward regulatory approval
•	 Requires extensive shoreside charging infrastructure and operational changes 
on longer routes
Hydrogen 
fuel cell-electric
•	 Zero-emission operation 
•	 No operational changes
•	 Vessel performance, range, and refueling cadence match diesel vessels
•	 Newer maritime technology with developing supply chains and regulatory 
approval paths
PHOTO: SWITCH MARITIME LLC

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