The application of hybrid-electric solutions for the propulsion of pleasure crafts is increasing in recent years. The more restrictive regulations on pollutants and the growing sensibility of the people on greenness make this solution even more attractive. In case the craft is stationing in a marine equipped with renewable energy sources, the attractiveness of such a solution increases even more. Besides, a hybrid-electric configuration can reduce the consumptions and, consequently, the operative costs against an initial higher investment. Therefore, hybrid-electric propulsion could give a benefit to raise a stationary market, as the pleasure craft one. This study compares in terms of consumptions three different solutions, besides conventional diesel one, for the propulsion of a sailing yacht.

The increasing sensibility to the environment protection and emission reduction in the atmosphere is also influencing the maritime shipping. The more restrictive regulations on pollutants suggest the adoption of alternative onboard propulsion and energy generation systems. To this end, electrification is a promising solution for pollution reduction, giving some flexibility on the strategy to use for the onboard system. Moreover, a hybrid-electric system can be combined with the exploitation of green fuel, increasing the potential reduction of total emissions. However, the final efficiency, both in term of emission reduction and expected operative expenditure, is strongly influenced by the operative profile of the vessel. This is of utmost importance both in case of a newly designed vessel and in the retrofitting of an existing one. In the present work, the impact of electrification on a double-ended ferry is presented, taking into consideration the operative profile of the vessel derived from real navigation data.

Nowadays, it is of paramount importance reducing the pollutant emission also of small crafts operating near the coast. This action is an essential issue to preserve the marine and coastal environment. In this paper, the design of a coastal-navigation multipurpose craft to be used in North Adriatic Sea area is presented. The particular service areas are characterized both by inland waterways with shallow and restricted waters and by open sea. Hull-form of the craft along with hybrid-electric propulsion have been properly designed in order to obtain an efficient solution for the different operational conditions. Specifically, the hybrid-electric power system has been conceived to allow the Zero Emission Mode navigation for a reasonable range.

Sustainable mobility is an essential issue to take for the town planning of a great city. When a high tourist flow is present, the city should be provided of low pollutant emission vehicles for the public transport in order to preserve the environment. Venice is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the urban public transport is almost exclusively carried out by boats. This paper deals with the design of a new small passenger craft to be operated in the Venice Lagoon with hybrid-electric propulsion. An innovative hullform has been conceived in order to get wave reduction useful to lower both the impact on the foundations of buildings and the energy consumption of the craft. Moreover, a suitable LVDC Integrated Power System has been adopted to enable the Zero Emission Mode navigation.