Clean maritime transport is making waves

Electric-powered watercraft and a clean infrastructure are causing a stir in recreational boating as well as in freight and passenger transport around the Great Lakes.

Guests check out the electric-powered Vita Seal boat at the AQUA superPower E-Marine Demo event at Elk Rapids Marina, sponsored by the Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge. Courtesy of AQUA superPower.

The benefits are both economic – research firm Future Market Insights predicts the global electric boat and vessel market will grow 10.4% per year through 2033 – and environmental – reduced pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions protect human health and advance the state of Michigan’s MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.

The transition is supported by state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan Economic Development Corp. and its Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), academic research partners such as Michigan Technological University (MTU), and economic development organizations such as Traverse Connect in the Grand Traverse region.

Here you will find a selection of projects and progress in the field of maritime electric vessels (EV) and decarbonization.

Decarbonizing Michigan’s Largest Port Operations

A one-year decarbonization project for the Port of Detroit began in June 2023 with a meeting of residents and city, county and state officials.

The port handles at least 8 million tons of bulk cargo annually and provides an estimated 6,000 jobs and an economic volume of US$919 million.

Led by the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, the Port of Tomorrow project’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 at the port’s 18 cargo and passenger terminals along the Detroit and Rouge rivers.

The transformation will include the use of renewable energy sources, the electrification of port equipment and the use of low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels.

Project partners are the nonprofit organization Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision and the carbon reduction specialist Tunley Engineering.

Replacement for an outdated ferry from Beaver Island

A $6.63 million grant to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Ferry Service Rural Communities and an earlier $14 million state investment would enable the Michigan Department of Transportation to purchase a new, more efficient and environmentally friendly ferry for the 32-mile route from Charlevoix to the island in Lake Michigan.

One of the two ferries that currently serves the island and its 600 inhabitants is over 60 years old.

Promote electrification along the lakeshore

The federal Lake Michigan Circuit initiative will install electric vehicle chargers along 1,100 miles of Lake Michigan’s automotive-accessible shoreline in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

Charging stations will be installed at recreational areas, hospitality venues and entertainment attractions and will be funded through a combination of MDOT and Volkswagen Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation funds. The first funding opportunity will open in fall 2023.

The circuit complements the installation of chargers in state parks along Lake Michigan and through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program and Charge Up Michigan.

Installation of a chain of marine chargers for electric vehicles

The Fresh Coast Marine Corridor, described in detail in last year’s Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report, from Frankfort on Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island in Lake Huron, is the country’s first freshwater charging network for electric boats.

The Elk Rapids and Northport marinas have installed AQUA superPower fast chargers, and chargers are planned for the Traverse City, Bay Harbor, Charlevoix and Torch Lake marinas.

A challenge to innovation

In April 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge grant program to help companies decarbonize and electrify Michigan marinas and watercraft in line with the 2022 MI Future Mobility Plan and the MHCP.

With this challenge program, unique in the USA, Michigan became a pioneer in the field of sustainable maritime transport.

The focus of funding in the first phase was on the corridor between Frankfort and Mackinac Island, where OFME partnered with Traverse Connect to identify grant recipients and facilitate fund distribution.

Other partners include EGLE, MDOT, DNR and Michigan’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry.

Electrification of a DNR survey boat

The DNR’s Division of Fisheries Tribal Coordination Unit has purchased a 50-horsepower Elco electric outboard motor in 2023 to power an 18-foot vessel used for fishing and water quality studies on small inland lakes.

The first full viewing season of the boat and motor package will take place this year.

Promoting a center for research, business growth and Michigan’s blue economy

The state’s “Make it in Michigan” budget for fiscal year 2024 allocated $15 million for the new Traverse City Freshwater Research & Innovation Center for research, education, commercialization, business incubation and start-up acceleration.

A collaboration of 20Fathoms, Discovery Center & Pier, MTU, Northwestern Michigan College and Traverse Connect, the center will establish the region as a global hub for applied freshwater innovation and marine technologies.

EGLE recently announced a $1 million grant to fund site assessments, removal of contaminated groundwater and soil, asbestos abatement, and demolition of more than 36,000 square meters.

Traverse Connect also led a group of more than 50 organizations and individuals focused on technology and innovation, including vessel electrification in Michigan’s water-based blue economy, to form the new Discover Blue Consortium.

The consortium’s goals include expanding economic opportunities for tribal people, women, minorities, and rural and underrepresented communities in Northern Michigan.

Promoting clean vehicles and ships and

EGLE’s Fuel Transformation Program (FTP) supported the replacement of qualified diesel vehicles, vessels and equipment with new low- to zero-emission versions.

The grants totaled $30 million in three installments over approximately three years and were funded by Michigan’s $64.8 million Volkswagen Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Program.

A $3.06 million Part 2 contract will help convert Mackinac Island’s diesel passenger ferry Chippewa to zero-emissions electric propulsion. Mackinac Island Ferry Co. (MIFC) will install electric motors on the vessel as part of a multi-year overhaul. MIFC plans similar propulsion upgrades for seven other vessels in its passenger and cargo fleet.

A $2.18 million Part 2 grant is helping the City of Sault Ste. Marie install shore power, generated from nearly 50% renewable energy, at an international dock near the Soo Locks. The shore power will reduce the need for docked vessels to idle their diesel engines, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.

Part 3 provides $5 million in 2023 for the electrification of port cargo handling equipment and airport ground support equipment and forklifts. An interactive dashboard available through EGLE’s FTP website shows the grants awarded.

Adapted from an article in the Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report 2023.