These ferries speed commutes and cut pollution — and they fly

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Stockholm has launched a high-speed electric ferry, the Candela P-12, that “flies” above water on hydrofoils—cutting both commute times and emissions
• The battery-powered vessel emits 98% less carbon than conventional diesel ferries and is now part of the city’s public transit network
• Shipbuilder Candela is expanding operations to Lake Tahoe, Berlin, and Saudi Arabia’s Neom project, with more global cities under discussion

🔭 The context: Hydrofoils—underwater wings that lift the boat above the waves to reduce drag—have existed since the early 1900s but are only now entering commercial ferry use
• The P-12’s design allows it to cruise at 30 mph using a relatively small battery pack, equivalent to three Tesla Cybertrucks
• With a two-hour runtime and one-hour charging window, it fits well into peak commuting schedules
• Its economic and environmental efficiency has drawn growing interest as cities seek to decarbonize transit

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Electrifying ferries offers a practical, scalable solution for reducing emissions in coastal cities
• Passenger ferries contribute just 6% of shipping-related emissions, but they are among the easiest vessels to electrify
• While deep-sea shipping remains a harder challenge due to battery limitations, ferries like the P-12 represent a low-hanging opportunity to cut maritime emissions and improve urban air quality

⏭️ What's next: Wider deployment of electric ferries hinges on charging infrastructure at ports and upfront investment costs
• Meanwhile, hybrid vessels are being explored for longer routes to curb shipping’s broader 3% share of global emissions
• A recent international deal to regulate shipping emissions is advancing—but without U.S. support, implementation may be uneven
• Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Mumbai are seen as likely candidates for adopting similar electric ferry systems

💬 One quote: “Electric ships won’t solve everything, but for short journeys they can significantly cut emissions and improve local air quality,” - Valentin Simon of Transport & Environment

📈 One stat: The Candela P-12 emits 98% less carbon than traditional diesel ferries, according to Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. and its peers: Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc, and Matson Inc.

Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable mobility