Staten Island Ferry to burn cleaner fuels as NYC transitions ferry fleet to ‘renewable diesel’

The Staten Island Ferry is set to burn cleaner fuels as New York City seeks to transition its ferry fleet to “renewable diesel,” a petroleum-free fuel with fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

“While full electrification remains our goal, getting the city’s ferry fleet off of polluting fossil fuels makes New York City a safer place for all of our residents and visitors,” Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said Monday.

The fuel, which has been used by the city’s municipal motor pool for nearly a year, is a blend of alcohols, oils, fats and hydrogen that makes a renewable, cleaner-burning chemical equivalent to traditional diesel.

Distinct from bio-diesel — but also based on sustainable substances like vegetable oil — renewable diesel does not require any engine modifications in order to work.

Keith Kerman, the city’s chief fleet officer and a deputy commissioner with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, told the Daily News Monday that the city’s land-based vehicles have been using the fuel since last November with nary a hiccup.

The long-term sustainability of renewable diesel remains to be seen, given the typically carbon-intensive processes involved in producing vegetable oils.

But according to the U.S. Department of Energy, renewable diesel can produce as little as 40% of the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions associated with traditional diesel fuel.

DOT officials said Monday that greenhouse gas emissions from the Staten Island Ferry represent 15% of the city government’s transportation emissions.

The first ferry to get the greener fuel will be the Sen. John J. Marchi, a Molinari-class boat that entered service in 2005.

Should the Marchi take to the fuel, it will be rolled out to the other nine boats in the fleet by the end of 2025.

John Garvey, Staten Island Ferry’s chief operating officer, said he felt “very confident” that the fuel would work well.

NYC Ferry, the city’s other ferry fleet whose boats are owned by the Economic Development Corporation but run through a contract with private operator Hornblower, will begin testing the new fuel as well.

“It’s a very, very different kind of ferry,” EDC’s CEO Andrew Kimball said. “It’s smaller, it’s faster, and so we want to make sure we pilot it.”

“Assuming it does play out well, which we think it will, we’ll be able to fully implement [the fuel] throughout the system next year.”