Faster and Cleaner: New Ferry Uses Ocean Waves for Power

The Philippines’ Visayas region thrives in the maritime sector – yet suffers from the pollution caused by conventional ships. Now a potential solution is underway: a fast-sailing boat that uses ocean waves to generate part of its power.

The boat, called a trimaran, would reduce the amount of carbon emissions by splitting its power generation between gasoline and waves.

The trimaran would also be more fuel-efficient than the decades-old vessels, transporting passengers in half the time a normal ferry would take, explains Jonathan Salvador, marine engineer at Metallica Shipyard, the company working on the Philippines’ first hybrid trimaran.

The construction of the trimaran is expected to be completed this year and should be able to accommodate over a hundred passengers, four vans and fifteen motorcycles.