57
MARCH 2026
I
ncat Crowther and SWITCH 
Maritime are developing a new 
93ʹ hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast 
ferry for New York waters. Design, 
naval architecture, and the regulatory 
approval process are being handled by 
Incat Crowther, while SWITCH is ad-
vancing project development beyond 
vessel design. The project team is plan-
ning to deploy a ZEF-150 demonstra-
tion based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The new vessel, Sea Change II, is de-
signed to align with existing infrastruc-
ture. Its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion 
and hydrogen storage system will en-
sure it can maintain an operational pro-
file similar to that of a diesel-powered 
vessel including parallel service speeds, 
a daily bunkering schedule, no need to 
increase dwell time for charging, and 
no shoreside charging infrastructure or 
power grid updates. 
Hydrogen fuel was chosen for its 
flexibility and offers a zero-emissions 
solution for an operation with longer 
range requirements and in locations 
where shoreside charging may not be 
technically or economically feasible. 
The 150-passenger ferry will have a 
cruising speed of 25 knots and will 
have 720 kilograms of stored, com-
pressed hydrogen capacity for the abili-
ty to operate on a range of routes across 
New York ferry networks. It will have a 
full day of operational range. 
The main deck will feature comfort-
able seating, luggage storage, multiple 
bathrooms including a wheelchair 
accessible one, and large windows for 
a top passenger experience.  
Development is supported by a 
$2 million grant from New York State 
Energy Research and Development 
Authority (NYSERDA). 
Incat Crowther and SWITCH pre-
viously partnered on Sea Change, the 
world’s first zero-emissions hydrogen 
fuel cell-powered electric-drive high 
speed passenger ferry, now operating 
in the San Francisco Bay.
MEMBER NEWS
SWITCH Maritime and Incat Crowther 
Advance Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Electric Fast Ferry 
PHOTO: INCAT CROWTHER
MEMBER NEWS
*Available on engines equipped with JDLink™ modems.
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