Electric and hybrid ferries could cut emissions by 63% in Sea of Marmara, IMO study finds
Türkiye’s Sea of Marmara ferry network could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by switching to a mix of hybrid and fully electric vessels, while avoiding nearly half a billion euros in health and environmental damage costs and supporting around 1,100 jobs a year, according to a new IMO study. Commissioned by IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 programme ...
A new International Maritime Organization (IMO) study suggests that Türkiye's Sea of Marmara ferry network could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by transitioning to a combination of hybrid and fully electric vessels. The research, commissioned by the IMO's GreenVoyage2050 programme and Türkiye's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, evaluated 67 Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferries serving 26 ports in the region.
The Sea of Marmara sees approximately 25 million passengers and seven million vehicles annually. The study found that both battery-electric and hybrid propulsion systems are technically viable across all ferry operations in the Sea of Marmara, with a balanced approach of hybrid and fully electric vessels projected to reduce annual GHG emissions by about 63% by 2050 compared to current diesel-fuel operations.
This strategy also aims to reduce local air pollution, potentially averting €492 million in cumulative health and environmental damage costs. Full electrification could further slash emissions by 84% by 2050, potentially reaching 95% if Türkiye's electricity grid decarbonizes as per its 2053 net-zero target. While no major technical barriers to electrification were identified, challenges such as charging infrastructure, upfront investment, energy planning, and regulatory frameworks remain.
The study highlights the opportunity to leverage Türkiye's existing shipbuilding expertise, potentially creating 1,100 jobs annually through the transition. Recommendations for implementation include expanding shoreside charging infrastructure, securing low-carbon electricity supplies, offering financial incentives for cleaner vessels, integrating electrification into broader transport and energy plans, and supporting feasibility studies and pilot projects.
GreenVoyage2050 and Türkiye's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure plan to move forward with a pilot electrification project in the Sea of Marmara to showcase the benefits outlined in the study.
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