Marmara Ferry Network Eyes 63% Emission Cut | Mariner News
IMO research indicates Turkey’s Sea of Marmara ferry network could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2050 through the adoption of a hybrid and fully electric vessel fleet. The study, which assessed 67 Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferries operating across 26 ports, confirms the technical feasibility of both battery-electric and hybrid propulsion for the network that annually transports approximately 25 million passengers and seven million vehicles.
While a fully electric fleet could achieve an 84% emissions reduction, the study identified a mix of hybrid and battery-electric vessels as the most suitable option to balance emissions cuts with cost considerations. This blend avoids major technical barriers, though it necessitates significant developments in charging infrastructure, investment, grid connections, and regulatory frameworks.
The findings are now prompting concrete steps, with GreenVoyage2050 and Türkiye’s transport ministry collaborating to develop a pilot project in the Sea of Marmara. This initiative aims to thoroughly test the technical and commercial viability of electrifying ferry operations in a real-world setting.
Looking further ahead, the study projected that emissions reductions could reach 95% if Turkey’s national power grid decarbonizes in alignment with its 2053 net-zero target, highlighting the critical interdependence of maritime decarbonization with broader national energy transitions.
