Partnership aims to integrate electric ferries, fast-charging infrastructure and route planning from the outset
Aqua superPower, a global provider of marine fast-charging infrastructure, and Hyke, developer of ultra-efficient electric passenger ferries, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the development of electrified urban ferry networks.
The partnership will focus on creating a blueprint for integrating electric ferries, charging infrastructure and route planning to unlock the potential of underutilised waterways as sustainable urban transport corridors.
As cities worldwide face increasing pressure from congestion, emissions and constrained transport infrastructure, waterways represent a largely untapped opportunity to move people efficiently and sustainably. Yet while electric ferry technology is rapidly advancing, many projects struggle to move from concept to deployment because vessel procurement, charging infrastructure and route planning are often developed independently.
Aqua superPower and Hyke believe the future success of urban waterborne transport depends on a more integrated approach.
Through the partnership, the two companies will support ferry operators, transport authorities, ports and city planners in developing electrified ferry routes where vessels, charging infrastructure and operational requirements are considered together from the earliest stages of project planning.
The goal is to create a practical framework that reduces complexity, lowers project risk and accelerates the deployment of zero-emission passenger transport on waterways.
Hyke’s electric passenger ferries are designed specifically for urban, inland and protected waterways, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional transport solutions while helping cities expand mobility capacity without major new investment in road or rail infrastructure. Engineered for ultra-efficient operation, Hyke vessels deliver energy performance beyond comparable transport modes while providing clean, quiet and accessible passenger transport.
Niels Astrup, Business Development Manager, Nordics at Aqua superPower, said: “Many cities already possess a valuable transport asset that remains significantly underutilised: their waterways. Electric ferries have the potential to provide clean, efficient and attractive passenger transport while reducing pressure on roads and existing public transport networks. However, successful deployment requires more than innovative vessels or charging infrastructure alone. It requires both to be planned as part of a single transport ecosystem. Our collaboration with Hyke is about creating a blueprint that helps cities, operators and ports understand how to successfully deliver electrified ferry routes from concept through to operation.”
Charles Pembroke-Birss, VP Sales at Hyke, said: “We’re excited to partner with Aqua superPower to make electric ferry projects easier to plan, deploy and operate. At Hyke, we believe customers need more than an ultra-efficient vessel. Successful ferry services depend on vessels, charging infrastructure and operational requirements working together from the outset. Aqua superPower brings world-class marine charging expertise to that process. By combining our capabilities, we can give cities and operators a clearer and more reliable path from an initial route concept to a fully operational zero-emission ferry service.”
Under the agreement, Aqua superPower and Hyke will explore opportunities to collaborate on route assessments, feasibility studies, pilot projects, customer engagements and demonstration programmes. The companies will also share expertise to support public authorities and operators evaluating the transition to electric passenger transport.
By bringing vessel and charging expertise together early in the planning process, the collaboration is intended to simplify project delivery and help customers move from concept to operation with greater confidence and less complexity.
The agreement comes as governments and municipalities increasingly prioritise transport decarbonisation and seek innovative ways to improve urban mobility. Electrified ferry routes can provide a compelling solution, combining zero-emission operation with efficient use of existing waterways and waterfront infrastructure.
By bringing together expertise in electric vessel design and marine charging infrastructure, Aqua superPower and Hyke aim to accelerate the development of urban water transport networks that are cleaner, quieter and more sustainable.
The companies believe the model developed through this collaboration could provide a scalable framework for cities worldwide seeking to transform waterways into active components of future transport systems.
