More than half of EU ferries could be cost-effectively electrified by 2035
c: Havyard design
Ferries play a vital role in connecting Europe’s islands with the mainland, yet many are old and polluting, making them bad for the climate and the health of people living near ports.
The sector's ageing fleet of almost 2000 ships spends over 60% of its time within 5 nautical miles of densely populated port areas, contributing significantly to coastal air pollution and emissions.
Ferries in port cities like Barcelona, Dublin and Naples are responsible for more toxic air pollution (SOx) than all the cars in those cities.
The good news? The relatively small size of ferries and their predictable routes mean that electrification will offer a competitive alternative.
Key findings from our report:
- CO2 emissions from ferries in Europe’s ports equivalent to 6.6 million cars
- Barcelona is the highest CO2 emitting ferry port in Europe, while Dublin takes top spot in air pollution
- The highest-emitting route in Europe is between Travemünde (DE) and Helsinki (FI)
- 52% of Europe’s ferries could be electric and cheaper to run than fossil-powered ferries by 2035
- For 20%, this switch could be cheaper than fossil fuels already in 2025
- The average European ferry is 26 years old, meaning the fleet is ripe for renewal
The ferry sector has been largely ignored by many of the EU’s industrial strategies and environmental regulation.
By addressing key barriers and strategically targeting regulatory disadvantages, Europe's ageing ferry fleet can become a trailblazer in the uptake of made-in-EU marine batteries and electric vessels. In our new report, we identified key initiatives that the EU can take to support this transition and secure industrial demand for marine batteries.