The UK’s busiest inland waterway ferry service has embarked on a ground-breaking journey to achieve zero emissions.
The
Bridge to Zero: The future Torpoint Ferry
project will 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 decarbonise 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, Torpoint is the world’s busiest chain ferry service by daily crossings and passenger volumes, carrying over 3 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 unique chain propulsion system, tidal river environment, and rapid embarkation / disembarkation schedule make full decarbonisation technically challenging – but also highly relevant for other short-sea vessels in the UK and worldwide.
The decarbonisation project could ultimately reduce the CO₂ emissions of the three Torpoint ferries by up to 1000 tonnes per annum.
The Torpoint “Bridge to Zero” project will be delivered by a multidisciplinary consortium with the University focused on performance data collection and analysis. Marine Zero will provide project leadership, charging solutions, and CAPEX/OPEX modelling and Torpoint Ferries (Tamar Crossings) will contribute operational expertise and vessel access.
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. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner and UK SHORE supports the design, manufacture, and operation of innovative clean maritime technologies to make the UK a global leader in sustainable shipping.
Ms Sarah Fear
