NY Waterway Completes Renewable Diesel Trial, Moves Forward with Significant Conversion to Cleaner Energy Source

Commitment to Sustainability Also Includes Initiative to Hybridize Entire Fleet – The Largest Operating Between NY and NJ

Weehawken, NY (November 11, 2024) – NY Waterway, which operates the largest ferry fleet between New Jersey and New York, announced today that it has completed its trial of renewable diesel fuel and is moving forward with efforts to transition a significant portion of its fuel usage to this renewable, cleaner energy source. This initiative complements a fleet-wide hybrid/electrification program that will begin conversion of NY Waterway ferries in the middle of 2025.

NY Waterway began its renewable diesel trial this past July on selected ferries and is currently on track to use 375,000 gallons over the next year -- roughly 20 percent of the fleet’s fuel consumption, with a goal to increase to 50 percent usage in the near future. Renewable diesel is fully compatible with all its ferry diesel engines, requiring no modifications.

Renewable diesel fuel, made from various fats, oils and waste products from the food and restaurant industries, performs as well as fossil diesel, but with a significantly reduced environmental impact. The EPA estimates that using renewable diesel can lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 78% per gallon. Because it burns so much cleaner, renewable diesel also results in reduced engine maintenance, contributing to enhanced service reliability. 

“We are prioritizing the conversion of our fleet and fuel in order to minimize the impact on the environment and the communities we serve, without compromising on safety, speed or reliability,” said NY Waterway President and CEO Armand Pohan. “We’re fully committed to being a leader in the broader effort to make New York’s vital waterways even cleaner and greener for everyone.”

Earlier this month, NY Waterway’s new fifteen-year operating agreement with the Port Authority of NY/NJ for the Hoboken New Jersey Transit Terminal to Brookfield Ferry Service route went into effect. Beginning on November 4, NY Waterway will increase service on this route to every 10-minutes during peak, weekday morning and evening times. 

About NY Waterway

Founded by Arthur Imperatore, Sr. in 1986, NY Waterway operates the nation’s largest privately-owned commuter ferry service. Prior to the pandemic shutdown, NY Waterway carried more than 32,000 passengers each weekday on 23 routes across the Hudson River, bringing New Jersey commuters to Manhattan and back. In cooperation with MTA Metro North Railroad, ferries bring commuters from the west side of the Hudson River in Newburgh and Haverstraw to the Hudson Line stations in Beacon and Ossining. 

On dozens of occasions, NY Waterway ferries have provided emergency service when public transit systems are disrupted. On 9/11, NY Waterway ferries evacuated more than 150,000 people from Manhattan, part of the largest maritime evacuation in history. In August 2003, when a massive blackout shut down all Hudson River crossings, NY Waterway carried 160,000 people home to New Jersey. Ferry crews also have rescued more than 300 people from New York waters, most notably the 143 people rescued from US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson in 2009, the most successful marine rescue in aviation history.

Get updates at 1-800-53-FERRY (7am - 11am Monday - Friday), nywaterway.com, facebook.com/nywaterway or twitter.com/ridetheferry.

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