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Solar Ferries Float in Hong Kong Waters

by Caleb Johnson on August 12, 2009 at 07:24 AM


In an effort to cut carbon-dioxide emissions, China is taking the fight against global warming to the water. Come November, solar-powered boats that look like a cross between a shark and something from 'Star Wars' will ferry folks across Hong Kong's harbor.

According to Bloomberg, the four solar-powered ferries will use about three-quarters solar power and one-quarter liquid petroleum gas (half the usual amount of carbon-dioxide emitted by a typical ferry). Not only will this save the environment, it'll save money, too. Ship designer Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd. told Bloomberg that this green technology will save ferry operators about $6 million in fuel costs over a 15-year period.

The purchase, made by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, is a move in the right direction, but it's unclear if these boats will make much of an impact -- especially since the ferries only run between the club's Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course and Sai Kung pier. As is befitting China's unique economic structure, the Hong Kong Jockey Club seems to be a private, not-for-profit horse-racing (and -betting) organization that operates under special government treatment. All that being said, it sounds like these ferries might just be boarded by rich folks who wish to put on a pretty face for the city, while the rest of Hong Kong continues to pollute. [From: Bloomberg, via DVICE]

Tags: boat, CarbonDioxide, china, environment, ferry, GlobalWarming, green, HongKong, solar, top

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