Marine transport

San Francisco launches world’s first commercial hydrogen ferry

The fuel cell–powered vessel officially launched this week after years in development. Diesel ferries are among the biggest polluters on U.S. waterfronts.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 July 2024

Sea Change sails by the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. (Binh Nguyen/Canary Media/WETA)

Marine transport

This boat runs on 100% renewables. Can it help clean up bigger ships?

The Energy Observer has sailed the world as a floating lab of zero-emission technologies. Now its owners want to apply what they’ve learned to dirty freighters.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 April 2024
Marine transport

The first all-electric tugboat in the US is about to launch

The eWolf will begin operating this spring at the Port of San Diego, marking an important early step toward slashing diesel pollution from America's ports.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 April 2024
Liquefied natural gas

How safe are LNG terminals? Nearby communities have no way of knowing

As more liquefied natural gas terminals are built along the U.S. Gulf Coast, residents say a lack of transparency leaves them unsure about the safety hazards.

By Pam Radtke / Floodlight . 7 March 2024
Wind

How US protectionism is holding back the country's offshore wind plans

The Biden admin has an ambitious target for new offshore wind farms — but a 100-year-old law is slowing down construction and ratcheting up installation costs.

By David Jen . 19 February 2024
Hydrogen

How hydrogen 'e-fuels' can power big ships and planes

Aviation and international shipping are two huge climate polluters. Cleaning them up will likely require producing lots of hydrogen-derived fuels.

By Maria Gallucci . 31 January 2024
Marine transport

Is solar the future of boating? This engineer turned boat-builder says yes

David Borton is on a mission to make solar-electric boats mainstream. The Solaris, the first-ever Coast Guard–approved solar boat, offers a window into his vision.

By Dan McCarthy . 5 December 2023
Marine transport

America's first hydrogen-powered ferry is set to sail

Switch Maritime aims to start operations early next year in San Francisco. It just raised $10M to help take zero-emissions ferries nationwide.

By Maria Gallucci . 16 November 2023
Marine transport

Electric boat builder Arc raises $70M for cleaner, quieter vessels

The Los Angeles–based startup is working to build a "mass-market" boat for water sports. Demand for electric vessels is rising as boaters look for less-polluting ways to ply rivers and lakes.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 September 2023
Podcast

Putting a halt to geoengineering — by accident

Recent restrictions on ships' emissions reduced sulfur dioxide air pollution, but they also inadvertently warmed the surface of the oceans.

Play

By Shayle Kann . 47 min . 14 September 2023
Marine transport

Wind power with a high-tech twist could help ships burn less fuel

Commodities giant Cargill is testing a new kind of wind-harnessing device meant to slash fuel use and curb CO2 emissions from the world's cargo ships.

By Maria Gallucci . 21 August 2023