Advancing ferry electrification in the Sea of Marmara, Türkiye
A new technical study assessing the potential to electrify 67 RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) and RoPax (Roll-on/Roll-off passenger) ferries operating across the Sea of Marmara is moving Türkiye closer to practical pathways for reducing emissions from domestic shipping. Undertaken by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), through its GreenVoyage2050 programme, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, the study examines the technical, economic, and operational feasibility of ferry electrification across one of the country’s busiest maritime corridors.
As Türkiye advances its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2053, the decarbonization of domestic ferry services represents a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving air quality in densely populated coastal areas.
A national stakeholder meeting, held on 5 February at the Turkish Chamber of Shipping in Istanbul, brought together around 40 participants, including ferry and port operators, development banks, and government agencies. Participants reviewed and discussed draft findings, which indicate a high potential for electrification on several ferry routes across the Sea of Marmara, based on current operational profiles and route characteristics. The work builds on earlier stakeholder consultations held in September 2025 to explore opportunities for ferry electrification in Türkiye’s Sea of Marmara.
“The electrification of ferries operating in the Sea of Marmara represents a concrete opportunity to reduce emissions from domestic shipping while creating new economic and employment opportunities,” said officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. “Early engagement with industry and financial institutions is essential to support viable pathways towards implementation.”
During the meeting, stakeholders considered technical electrification solutions, estimated GHG emission savings, and the potential for green job creation. This included the effects from vessel retrofitting, newbuilds, port infrastructure upgrades, and operations. Stakeholders also highlighted barriers to uptake, with particular attention given to high upfront investment costs, especially for battery-electric solutions, risk-sharing mechanisms, and the role of public and development finance in supporting early deployment.
In addition to plenary discussions, bilateral exchanges were held with individual ferry owners and port operators to explore how the study’s findings could be translated into concrete next steps, including phased implementation.
Türkiye was selected in 2025 as one of nine countries to receive pilot support under the IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 Accelerator, reflecting its strong potential to advance scalable, low- and zero-emission solutions in domestic shipping. The study is expected to be completed by Q2 2026. Its findings aim to support informed decision-making by public authorities, operators, and financiers as Türkiye advances practical pathways towards cleaner, more sustainable ferry operations in the Sea of Marmara.
GreenVoyage2050 Programme
GreenVoyage2050 is a major technical cooperation programme initiated by the International Maritime Organization to assist developing countries in reducing GHG emissions from shipping, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
Now in its second phase (2024–2030), GreenVoyage2050 is supporting partner countries in developing National Action Plans (NAPs) as well as implementing pilot projects to test solutions for reducing GHG emissions from ships.
Leveraging funding from the Governments of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, the GreenVoyage2050 Programme continues to expand, with new countries added each year.
