Optibus Expands to Electric Boats in Hamburg

HADAG selects Optibus to optimize charging operations and passenger information for Hamburg’s electric ferry fleet

In a major step towards more sustainable public transportation, Optibus, the AI-powered software platform for public transportation planning and operations, is now supporting electric passenger ferries.

Optibus' first electric maritime project is based in Hamburg, Germany, where ferry operator HADAG, part of the Hamburg Public Transport Association (hvv), will use Optibus to optimize electric ferry schedules, charging strategies, and passenger information.

This collaboration marks a milestone in smarter, cleaner urban transportation as HADAG pioneers the use of optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing in electric passenger ferries operations.

HADAGs electric and hybrid passenger ferries will be managed using Optibus electric fleet management software

The Global Shift to Electric Passenger Ferries

Electric passenger ferries are part of the formula for greener cities. Electric vessels can cut lifetime emissions by 97.5%, eliminate harmful water and noise pollution, and significantly slash operating costs due to lower maintenance and energy demands.

Cities around the world are already phasing out diesel ferries to realize these benefits:

Norway: Home to nearly 80 low- or zero-emission ferries, nearly half the national fleet, eliminating 5,700 tons of CO2 annually and reducing operational costs by 85-90%.
New York City: Introduced its first public hybrid-electric ferry in 2023, cutting 600 tons of CO₂ annually.
San Francisco: Secured $11 million in FTA funding to electrify its ferry operation, which carries 8,000 passengers every weekday.
Buenos Aires–Montevideo: Soon to launch the world’s largest battery-electric ferry, with 2,100-passenger capacity.
Hong Kong: Announced plans for its first electric ferry service, which will run 3 days a week.
Sydney: Targeting a fully electric or hydrogen ferry fleet by 2035.

Part of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, Hamburg aims to reduce emissions 55% by 2030 and by at least 95% by 2050. Decarbonizing its public transportation sector is key to achieving this target and has seen Hamburg emerge as a pioneer in electric passenger ferries.

Navigating the Complexity of Electric Boat Operations with Optibus

Just like electric buses, electric ferries introduce new operational challenges: complex scheduling, high upfront costs, fluctuating electricity prices, battery limitations, and energy grid constraints, especially on islands or older harbors. Efficient planning is key to navigating these challenges.

Optibus’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Management software is used to deploy and operate electric bus fleets around the world, including some of the largest EV fleets in the Americas and Europe. Now, Optibus is bringing that expertise to the passenger ferry sector.

Optibus' electric fleet management software simplifies complex EV challenges, including costs, range, and grid constraints.

HADAG and Optibus: Bringing Advanced Planning Technologies to Hamburg’s Electric Ferry Fleet

HADAG manages Hamburg’s ferry routes, transporting 10 million passengers annually across 330,000 nautical miles, 365 days a year. To reduce emissions, HADAG is converting its full fleet to 100% zero-emissions. Three electric ferries were delivered in 2024 and more are on the way. To support this transition, HADAG will:

Use Optibus’ EV Management software to plan and optimize charging and scheduling, accounting for battery profiles, range, energy demand, costs, charging time and location, and more.
Deploy Optibus’ Passenger Information offerings to improve ferry service updates via digital signage and mobile apps, resulting in a more reliable passenger experience.

HADAG already uses Optibus Planning to optimize their ferry network for route efficiency.

Wolfgang Mularzyk, IT Project Manager at HADAG, said:

“With Optibus, we have the technology needed to roll out Hamburg’s electric ferry fleet and make it one of the region’s leading passenger maritime networks.”

Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus, said:

“Electric ferries are vital for sustainable public transport,” said Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus. “We’re proud to expand our offerings into maritime transit, ensuring more fleet operators have the cutting-edge tools needed to support successful EV deployments.”