BMT's new Eco Ferry design. Credit: BMT Group Ltd.

BMT has released a new hybrid ferry design known as Eco Ferry, which is intended to support cleaner and more cost-efficient operations.

The 31m-long ferry is designed to carry 149 passengers at a maximum speed of 20k.

Eco Ferry has been developed in partnership with BAE Systems and features a ‘Hybrid-Drive’ system. It can also facilitate silent and vibration-free sailings.

"It’s an all-round nicer experience for passengers. The Eco-ferry glides in and out of dock silently and smoke free, completely under electric power."

The vessel is able to receive additional thrust from its diesel engines when required, while automatically recharging its batteries at the same time.

Eco Ferry will be equipped with a 160kWh energy storage system (ESS) that can be further charged throughout the journey, as well as through a solar array placed on the roof of the vessel.

BMT managing director John Bonafoux said: “Greener ferry systems have to be the future and we’re extremely excited to be launching this new hybrid design.

“In our recent case study of an example river commute in New York, the ‘Eco Ferry’ engines are completely off for 63% of the time.

“That’s a huge saving on fuel consumption and emissions, not to mention engine hours and maintenance.

“It’s an all-round nicer experience for passengers. The Eco-ferry glides in and out of dock silently and smoke free, completely under electric power.

“No longer will there be noise and diesel fumes at the dock as passengers embark and disembark.”

BMT is primarily involved in the design of catamaran hulls, which are used to build ferries serving New York and Washington in the US, as well as London, UK; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, among others.