Ferry to e-bike delivery service launching soon in New York

A last-mile delivery service that utilises New York’s waterways and e-bikes is set to launch later this month, in what has been billed as a ‘first-ever’ by the companies behind the project.

New York-based logistics firm DutchX has partnered with e-bike company Fernhay for the service, which will see packages brought by ferry from warehouses outside of the city to Manhattan, where they will then be picked up by bike couriers for the remainder of the delivery.

“We are thrilled to be pioneering this ground-breaking delivery model with Fernhay to change the future of last-mile deliveries,” said Marcus Hoed, Co-Founder of DutchX.

“With years of industry experience, we are familiar with the challenges that come with last mile deliveries.

“Shifting deliveries from the roadways to waterways can spark positive change for our clients, our community and the environment.”

The firm will use existing NY Waterway ferries for the deliveries, and says that given how the city has “more linear feet of shoreline than any other city in the world”, it serves as an ideal place to launch.

“We have been actively engaging with clients who have expressed strong interest in adopting this delivery innovation”, a spokesperson from DutchX told Cities Today. 

Commercial cargo bikes

Since the launch of New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) Commercial Cargo Bike pilot programme in 2019, cargo-bike deliveries have increased significantly across the city.

In 2022, cargo bikes made more than 130,000 trips delivering over 5 million packages, resulting in the reduction of over 650,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, and demonstrating their effectiveness as a last-mile delivery mode, according to the department.

Based on trends in the freight delivery industry, NYC DOT determined “there is even more unmet demand [for cargo bikes]” and last month proposed the use of larger pedal-assisted cargo bikes in the city, saying it will make last-mile deliveries safer and more sustainable.

The changes would allow cargo bikes to be up to 48 inches (122 cm) wide with up to four wheels, which would make them easier to pedal while carrying heavy loads.

Current rules restrict the bikes’ width to 36 inches (91 cm) and no fourth wheel.

“Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

“Just two cargo bikes can replace one box truck, increasing safety and reducing CO2 emissions by 14 tons per year – equivalent to 30,872 passenger car miles travelled.”

Image: DutchX