b'The final component of the forum consists of technicalproviders, and other maritime stakeholders. The team in information sharing. Each meeting will include a techni- charge is hopeful that even more industry professionals cal presentation on a decarbonization topic of interest towill join as forum meetings become more regular. For the forums members. Current topics slated for discussionthose who are interested, the forum sign-up link can be cover everything from the trajectory of battery technologyfound here.to innovative vessel hull forms such as hydrofoils. Planning and operational considerations are also slated for discus- Moreover, as federal support for decarbonization efforts sion including best practices for negotiating with utilitiesis uncertain, the forum and other collaborations like it are onpowerdemandandelectricalinfrastructurealonggrowing more and more important to achieving benefits with regulatory considerations such as U.S. Coast Guardfor U.S. ferry operators, including health and potential cost approvals and specific rules associated with Build Ameri- benefits. As noted by Forum Chair Terry Federer, Reduc-ca(n). These technical presentations will be given by PVAing emissions in the marine industry is important, not just associate members and are intended to provide informationfor the environment we operate in, but also for the health that is useful to owners and operators without promoting aand well-being of both our staff and customers. Embrac-particular vendor or firm. ing cleaner technologies has the potential to enhance the efficiency of our operations, particularly in the passenger Withfacilitationsupportfrommaritimedecarboniza- sector, leading to improved sustainability and long-term tion experts at KPFF Consulting Engineers, the forumcost savings. Working together, U.S. ferry operators have a already has over 50 individual members including op- much better chance of success in sailing to a cleaner, green-erators,navalarchitects,decarbonizationtechnologyer, and more efficient future. About the AuthorAbout the Author ANDREW BENNETT, PE MARTHA HARTPRINCIPAL PROJECT MANAGERKPFF CONSULTING ENGINEERS KPFF CONSULTING ENGINEERSAndrew Bennett leads a group of planners and en- Martha Hart is a project manager at KPFF and serves gineers whose portfolio includes working with mostas the sustainability lead for KPFFs Planning Team. major ferry operators in North America and manyMarthas experience in maritime sustainability and fleet-wide zero-emission implementation strategies.in climate action planning allows her to bring a bal-An MIT-trained naval architect with a graduate de- anced consideration of the environmental, econom-gree in coastal zone management and over 35 years ofic, and social aspects of maritime decarbonization experience,Andrewfacilitatescommunicationbe- projects.Shefocusesonacollaborativeapproach tween operators, engineers, contractors, stakeholders,thatisinformedbylisteningtocommunitiesand and the public for an understanding of challenges ofstakeholders to understand the complexities of their and solutions for waterborne transportation. His sys- unique situation and to maximize project benefits.tems perspective ensures projects are well integrated with the communities, transportation systems, and infrastructure critical to their success.13 APRIL 2025'