Torpoint ferry service begins pioneering Bridge to Zero project to decarbonise short-sea crossings of the River Tamar
Tamar Crossings has announced a major new initiative to decarbonise the Torpoint chain-ferry service. Each year, more than 3m vehicles and 400,000 pedestrians use the service to cross the River Tamar between Cornwall and Devon, with the chain service reaching between Torpoint in Cornwall and Devonport in Plymouth. It is thought to be the UK’s busiest inland waterway service.
A Torpoint chain ferry crossing the River Tamar, photo courtesy of Tamar Crossings
The new ‘Bridge to Zero’ aims to transition the three Torpoint ferries from fossil fuel to 00% green energy supplied from the shore. This is not without its challenges, given the unique chain propulsion system used by the service, the wider environment of a tidal river and the rapid schedule for allowing passengers to embark and disembark.
However, the project could reduce emissions by the equivalent of 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – and set an example for other short-sea vessels operating in the UK and abroad.
The Bridge to Zero project will be delivered by a multidisciplinary consortium comprising Marine Zero (contributing project leadership, charging solutions and CAPEX/OPEX modelling), Torpoint Ferries / Tamar Crossings (operational expertise and vessel access) and the University of Plymouth (performance data collection and analysis).
Tamar Crossings is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. The project is being funded by £300,000 from the Department for Transport via the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).
Keir Mather MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation), says: ‘Our £300,000 investment into Torpoint Ferry will be transformational in the region as we chart a course to net zero shipping by 2050 and build a cleaner, greener future. This comes as part of our wider commitment to decarbonise shipping backed by a £448m investment to clean up sea travel whilst supporting jobs and boosting growth across the UK.’
Tim Munn, Managing Director at Marine Zero, adds: ‘With Torpoint, we’re proving that even the most demanding 24/7 maritime operations can transition to zero emissions. Our goal is to create solutions that are not just technically feasible, but financially viable and scalable – safeguarding a vital regional service whilst setting a global example for short sea shipping.’
Philip Robinson, Chief Officer at Tamar Crossings, says: ‘We are proud to be leading this transformation. This work will safeguard our service for the next generation and support the South West’s growing clean maritime sector. By solving the challenges here, we can help operators across the UK – and beyond – make the shift to zero emissions.’
Sarah Fear, Sector Lead (Marine and Low Carbon) at the University of Plymouth, adds: ‘This project advances the world-leading reputation for clean maritime research, operational expertise, and innovation in Plymouth and South-East Cornwall. By capturing and analysing detailed performance data, we will generate evidence-based solutions that can be applied to the Torpoint Ferries and to many other ferry routes in the UK and globally that are facing similar constraints.’
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