Ferry Comparison
This guide compares four common ferry variants across cost, energy, infrastructure needs, passenger experience and route fit.
Traditional diesel ferry
Conventional electric ferry
Foiling Ferry
Hyke F-15 Shuttle
How Hyke compares
Compare the Hyke F-15 Shuttle with
| Criterion | Traditional diesel ferry | Conventional electric ferry | Hydrofoil ferry | Hyke F-15 Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel | | | | |
| Typical CAPEX | High | Very high | High | Low |
| Operating cost | Very high | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Shore infrastructure | Medium | Medium/High | Medium | Low |
| Charging / refuel turnaround | Diesel refueling | Daytime charging – potential service interruptions | Daytime charging – potential service interruptions | Up to 10 hrs uninterrupted operation – overnight charging |
| Energy efficiency | ||||
| Passenger comfort | ||||
| Accessibility | ||||
| Noise & emissions | Noisy, high emissions | Quiet, zero emissions | Quiet, zero emissions | Very quiet, zero emissions |
| Best route profile | Long distances and legacy routes | Short sheltered crossings | Fast exposed commuter routes | Short/medium high-frequency crossings |
Best fit by route profile
The route decides the vessel.
Short urban crossing
High frequency, short distance routes between urban terminals.
Tourist or sightseeing route
Scenic routes with frequent stops, lower operating speeds.
Fast exposed route
Routes in open water where speed and seakeeping are critical.
Long-distance or high-capacity
High passenger volumes over longer distances
Why Hyke is compelling for the right route
On short sheltered crossings, the lightweight approach changes the economics.
~50% lower CAPEX
Around half the price of comparable traditional or electric passenger vessels.
Low infrastructure needs
Can use AC charging, portable chargers or standard EV-style charging, no high-voltage shore requirement.
Low operating cost
Very low energy use, roughly equivalent to five hair dryers at service speed.
Hyke in the News
Discover how our zero-emission, autonomous-ready passenger ferries are capturing global attention and reshaping urban waterborne transportation.
February 2025
Exploring urban waterborne mobility: Insights from MasTech 2025 and GCC partnerships.
Our participation at MasTech 2025 and key meetings in the GCC region provided valuable insights
April 2026
Leading Norwegian operators invest in zero-emission passenger vessel with Hyke
The new company Cityboat has ordered a state-of-the-art, electric passenger vessel to offer silent, pollution-free
November 2021
COO Halvor Vislie in Teknisk Ukeblad podcast
Listen to our COO Halvor Vislie in this Teknisk Ukeblad podcast where he describes how