The Torpoint chain ferry service has embarked on the Bridge to Zero project, which aims to deliver a fully costed, engineering-ready plan to transition the Torpoint Ferry service from fossil fuel power to 100% shore-supplied green electricity – providing a blueprint to decarbonize the entire fleet and inform the next generation of vessels due in 2034.
Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and in all weather conditions, the Torpoint chain ferry service carries more than three million vehicles and 400,000 pedestrians annually across the River Tamar between Torpoint (Cornwall) and Devonport (Plymouth). The service is operated by Tamar Crossings, which is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. Its chain propulsion system, tidal river environment and rapid embarkation/disembarkation schedule make full decarbonization technically challenging. The decarbonization project could ultimately reduce the CO₂ emissions of the three Torpoint ferries by up to 1,000 metric tons a year.
The project is funded by the UK government’s Department for Transport through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions’ (UK SHORE) Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
“Our £300,000 [US$403,000] investment into Torpoint Ferry will be transformational in the region as we chart a course to net zero shipping by 2050 and build a cleaner, greener future,” said UK minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonization, Keir Mather. “This comes as part of our wider commitment to decarbonize shipping backed by a £448m [US$602m] investment to clean up sea travel while supporting jobs and boosting growth across the UK.”
The Torpoint Bridge to Zero project will be delivered by a multidisciplinary consortium, which includes Marine Zero (project leadership, charging solutions, and CAPEX/OPEX modeling); Tamar Crossings (operational expertise and vessel access) and the University of Plymouth (performance data collection and analysis).
“With Torpoint, we’re proving that even the most demanding 24/7 maritime operations can transition to zero emissions,” said Tim Munn, managing director of Marine Zero. “Our goal is to create solutions that are not just technically feasible, but financially viable and scalable – safeguarding a vital regional service while setting a global example for short sea shipping.”
“We are proud to be leading this transformation. This work will safeguard our service for the next generation and support the Southwest’s growing clean maritime sector,” added Philip Robinson, chief officer, Tamar Crossings. “By solving the challenges here, we can help operators across the UK – and beyond – make the shift to zero emissions.”
“This project advances the world-leading reputation for clean maritime research, operational expertise, and innovation in Plymouth and Southeast Cornwall,” said Sarah Fear, sector lead (marine and low carbon) at the University of Plymouth. “By capturing and analyzing detailed performance data, we will generate evidence-based solutions that can be applied to the Torpoint Ferries, and to many other ferry routes in the UK and globally that are facing similar constraints.”
You can read E&H Marine‘s feature on Innovate UK in the current issue here
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