Ferry emissions in Europe’s port cities now rival those from millions of cars, according to a new analysis by Transport & Environment - raising urgent questions about how quickly the sector can transition to clean maritime transport.
The report finds that ferries emit as much CO2 as 6.6 million cars annually, and that port cities, including Dublin, Barcelona and Naples, experience higher levels of harmful air pollution from ferries than from road traffic.
NatPower Marine, a global developer of maritime charging infrastructure, says the findings point to a tipping point for the industry the barrier to decarbonisation is no longer vessel technology, which is growing rapidly, but the lack of scalable charging infrastructure at ports.
Electric ferry vessels are already operating across full routes in Europe and China, demonstrating that maritime electrification is no longer theoretical, it is happening at scale. China’s latest five-year plan signals a major acceleration, targeting the electrification of ferries and container feeder vessels by 2030. In doing so, it is positioning itself to lead in electric shipping, much as it has in electric vehicles.
This creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the UK and EU to co-lead maritime electrification — not only in vessel innovation, but in the infrastructure, services and energy systems that will define the future of the industry.
“Ferries are one of the most viable segments to electrify. The technology is ready and the economics are increasingly favourable what’s missing is infrastructure at scale.” said Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine UK
UK and Irish Sea / Channel routes highlight immediate opportunity
The findings are particularly relevant for the UK and Ireland, where high-frequency ferry routes such as Dublin–Holyhead and Belfast–Heysham, and the Channel routes with France, Belgium and the Netherlands, which are among the most intensively used in Europe.
These routes account for thousands of annual crossings and significant emissions at berth, yet they are also among the most suitable for electrification due to predictable schedules and regular port dwell times.
“Short-sea ferry routes like those across the Irish Sea or the Channel are one of the most practical starting points for maritime decarbonisation,” Sommadossi added. “With the right charging infrastructure in place, emissions reductions can be achieved quickly and at scale.”
Infrastructure — not ambition — is now the constraint
While the T&E report suggests that up to 60% of Europe’s ferry fleet could be electrified by 2035, with many routes already cheaper to operate using battery power, deployment is being held back by limited grid access and insufficient port-side charging capacity.
NatPower Marine is addressing this challenge by developing a global network of fully financed maritime charging infrastructure combining shore power, battery storage, and smart grid integration.
In the UK, NatPower Marine is investing over £100 million in partnership with Peel Ports Group to deploy e-ship charging infrastructure across eight major ports, supporting the creation of one of the first green shipping corridors between the UK and Ireland.
This model removes the need for upfront capital investment from vessel operators and enables ports to scale clean energy provision without compromising grid stability.
Turning ports into energy hubs for clean shipping
Ports are at the centre of the maritime energy transition, but selling electric fuel is not their business, in fact the ones which tried are losing money, and are now wanting to pass the risk to operators like NatPower. “Ports do not drill, pipe, refine and sell traditional fuels, they make money with logistic and real estate services instead. Operating electric fuel is our mission.”
With the average age of Europe’s ferry fleet at 26 years, hence the sector is entering a critical renewal cycle and that aligning vessel investment with infrastructure deployment will be essential to avoid locking in emissions for decades.
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine UK,
“The data is clear, the technology is proven, and the economics are immediately viable,” Sommadossi added. “Since there is not enough infrastructure and access to electricity for marine electrification is in competition with higher payers like data centres, the ferry operators that will secure access to electricity will create a competitive advantage in both service and cost, leading to larger market shares and higher profits for them.”
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