Geographical and economic conditions of the sustainable transitions in transport – the case of ferry shipping electrification Cover Image

Geograficzno-ekonomiczne uwarunkowania sustensywnej transformacji w transporcie – przykład elektryfikacji żeglugi promowej
Geographical and economic conditions of the sustainable transitions in transport – the case of ferry shipping electrification

Author(s): Maciej Tarkowski
Subject(s): Geography, Regional studies, Energy and Environmental Studies, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation, Environmental interactions, Tourism, Transport / Logistics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: sustainable transitions; transport electrification; ferry shipping;

Summary/Abstract: One of the key challenges of the sustainable transitions is the deep reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in transport. That is why new propulsion systems are being improved – mainly hybrid and electric ones. In the last five years, they have been increasingly used on ferries on ports and coastal waters. The short route and the use of the same ferry ports facilitate the use of hybrid or electric propulsion. The basis of this article is the assumption that the technical and operational features of these ferries are optimized considering geographical and economic conditions. Its purpose, however, is to identify these conditions based on 15 case studies of hybrid or electric ferry implementations on port or coastal routes. Five main geographical conditions of the electrification of ferry shipping are indicated: the shape of the shoreline and nautical conditions, the level of development of transport system, the structure of primary energy consumption and the level of development of the electricity production and distribution system, the policy of electromobility development as well as electric or hybrid ferry design and production capabilities. The final solutions for each ferry crossing are the result of a specific configuration of these interdependent conditions. Most case studies concerned Europe, which is why there is a need for further research into this type of investment. Along with their spread in other parts of the world, it will be possible to verify the identified catalog of conditions.

  • Issue Year: 22/2019
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 59-74
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish