Hong Kong company rolls out the red carpet for two eco-friendly electric-hybrid ferries

Ferry service company Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry (HKKF) has welcomed two new “zero emission” hybrid ferries, designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther and constructed by Hong Kong’s Cheoy Lee Shipyards.

The newbuilds are part of a nine-vessel order, among which seven measure 40 meters and two measure 35 meters in length.

The two new ferries, both 40 meters long, one of which has a carbon hull and the other an aluminum hull, form part of a trial by the Hong Kong Government as it seeks to reduce emissions from the local shipping sector, according to the Australian firm.

Specifically, as disclosed, the ships possess a hybrid drive train and lithium-ion energy storage systems that allow them to operate in low-emission mode during slow-speed transit, berthing and maneuvering.

It is understood that the two hybrid units—which have been classed by Bureau Veritas (BV)—will service commuter routes between Kong Hong and the islands of Peng Chau, Hei Ling Chau, and Lamma Island.

Incat Crowther explained that each of the newbuilds is outfitted with exhaust-treatment technology and approximately 30 meters of solar panels, supported by battery technology to provide zero emission onboard power.

This recent delivery is reported to have come after the handover of two conventional diesel-powered 40-meter vessels. The remaining five are allegedly under construction and slated for delivery by 2025.

As for the carbon and aluminum hulls, the company elaborated that their operational and ecological performance is set to be measured over the coming years.

Reflecting on this development, Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, called it a “big milestone for the company”.

“Together, we’ve brought a future-focused ferry platform to life, helping to meet Hong Kong’s growing demand for more sustainable maritime transport options. As operators like HKKF look to reduce their environmental footprint, projects like this showcase the potential of hybrid technologies to contribute to the sustainable expansion of fleets around the world,” he emphasized.

In the realm of hybrid and electric vessels, numerous developments have taken place in the past couple of years.

For instance, back in March 2023, Bureau Veritas classed two hybrid ferries, fitted with battery and solar power technology for operation in Hong Kong.

Designed by CoCo Yachts, a Dutch naval architect design and development company, the Urban Sprinters 1000 ships are set to be operated by Sun Ferry Services, with the first one constructed with hybrid diesel-electric and the second one with diesel-electric propulsion.

Across the landmass, over in Europe, a hybrid ferry with ‘the world’s largest battery equipped on a vessel’ took its first voyage in a sea trial.

More precisely, in September 2024, French shipping company Brittany Ferries shared that the roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ship Saint-Malo was testing its liquefied natural gas (LNG)-electric drivetrain during the trial.

The 194.7-meter-long newbuild is scheduled to arrive in the UK early next year and will commence service on the Portsmouth to St Malo route, with its first sailing marked for mid-February 2025.