Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 15, The Trust for Governors Island, a non-profit founded by the City of New York, has introduced the Harbour Charger, the first hybrid-electric public ferry in New York State. The vessel arrived in New York from the Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, where construction was completed this spring after two weeks of final work.

Designed by Elliot Bay Design Group (EBDG), the Harbour Charger can carry up to 1,200 passengers and 30 vehicles. It is the second ferry EBDG has developed for the Trust and will replace the diesel-powered Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1956.

The new ferry features Siemens Energy’s BlueDrive Eco diesel-electric propulsion system, the BlueVault battery solution, and the EcoMAIN platform, which enables continuous equipment monitoring. Its maneuvering capabilities are supported by Schottel’s azimuthing thrusters with 360-degree steering. The hybrid propulsion system can operate in three modes: zero-emissions battery-only, battery-assisted hybrid with diesel backup, and full diesel. The battery-assisted hybrid mode is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 600 tons per year, with an additional 800-ton annual reduction projected once shoreside charging facilities are in place.

The Trust, with assistance from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and Congressman Dan Goldman, secured $7.5 million in federal infrastructure funding from the Federal Transit Administration for the charging facilities. This funding is expected to enable the ferry to eventually operate fully on electric power.

“When I helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, this sort of new, clean-energy transportation was exactly what I had in mind,” Schumer said. He described the ferry as a “faster and cleaner” option that supports the Governors Island Climate Exchange’s mission of advancing sustainability solutions.

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, added: “The Harbor Charger is proof that New York can lead the way in building a cleaner, healthier future while keeping our city moving. As the first hybrid-electric public ferry in the state, it’s not just a milestone for Governors Island — it’s a model for how we can cut emissions, improve air quality, and advance climate innovation right here in our own harbor.”

Electrification has become a key strategy for achieving net-zero goals in the ports of New York and New Jersey. In March 2021, the ports, along with agencies and partners, secured $100 million for clean transportation projects, including electrifying cargo handling and heavy-duty equipment. In September 2023, the Port Authority released its Net-Zero Roadmap outlining about 40 planned actions. In December 2024, the New York City Council introduced an environmental bill aiming for zero-emission operations by 2040, with a goal to provide sufficient shore power to all commercial vessels, including ferries, by 2027.