US 150-Passenger Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry Receives Coast Guard Design Approval

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 21, US zero-emission vessel developer SWITCH Maritime announced that its 150-passenger hydrogen fuel cell ferry SWITCH-150 has reached a design basis agreement with the US Coast Guard, establishing the technical and safety review framework required for the vessel's subsequent construction, commissioning, and operational certification. Designed by Incat Crowther, the vessel has a length of 28 meters, a design cruising speed of 25 knots, and a compressed hydrogen storage capacity of 720 kilograms. It is planned to first conduct an operational demonstration at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, with the project receiving a US$2 million research and development demonstration grant from New York State.

The SWITCH-150 adopts a hydrogen fuel cell electric propulsion system and is equipped with compressed hydrogen storage devices, designed to support all-day operation on high-frequency passenger routes. The vessel is planned to use mobile hydrogen refueling equipment for daily fuel replenishment, eliminating the need for dedicated shore-based charging facilities. The passenger cabin features 150 passenger seats and is equipped with a luggage storage area, a service counter, and three restrooms, one of which is wheelchair-accessible.

This design basis agreement specifies the review requirements for the vessel's hydrogen fuel storage, electric propulsion, and safety systems. The project team worked with the US Coast Guard to establish an alternative design approval framework and incorporated the Interim Guidelines on the Safety of Hydrogen-Fueled Ships adopted by the International Maritime Organization in May 2026. Subsequent vessel construction, commissioning, and operational certification will proceed in accordance with the technical requirements established under the agreement.

The project involves Incat Crowther responsible for vessel design and preliminary regulatory compliance analysis, Hexagon Purus undertaking hydrogen storage system development, PowerCell Group supplying the fuel cell system, SEAM responsible for propulsion system integration, LH2 Shipping participating in hydrogen power system design and safety work, and Hornblower Marine providing vessel operations consulting.

SWITCH Maritime's previously developed 75-passenger hydrogen fuel cell ferry Sea Change obtained a design basis agreement from the US Coast Guard in 2020, received its vessel inspection certificate in 2024, and entered passenger service in July of the same year. The SWITCH-150 follows the same approval pathway and is being developed for high-frequency passenger routes in New York and other parts of the United States.